Know Your World Cup Super Eagles 23-man Profiles

By Admin Ikechukwu Ezenwa’s recent injury worries, loss of form and experience at the big stage probably cost him the No.1 spot after his impressive performances in the qualifiers. International Caps: Apprearance: 4 Goals conceded: 4 Clean sheets: 1. 2017/18 stats: Total games played last season at club level:5 Goals conceded: 6 Clean sheets: 1 DEFENDERS: Abdullahi Shehu (Anthorsis Famagusta/ Bursaspor FC, Turkey): Shehu Abdullahi’s recent shoddy performance against England may give Gernot Rohr a reason to have a rethink at right-back considering the impressive display of Tyronne Ebuehi in the second half against the Three Lions. Abdullahi was an ever present in the qualifying campaign. Date of Birth/ Age: March 12, 1993/25 International Caps: Apprearance: 22 Goals: None Assists: None 2017/18 stats: Total games played at club level: 33 Assists: 2 Goals scored: 1 Tyronne Ebuehi (Benfica, Portugal) Tyronne Ebuehi’s form has improved lately but he must show more than zeal and vigour in to make the starting lineup in Russia having made the final squad. Date of Birth/ Age:December 16/ 1995/ 22 International Caps: Apprearance: 4 Goals: Nil Assists: Nil 2017/18 stats: Total games played at club level: 28 Assists: 2 Goals scored: None Elderson Echiejile (Cercle Brugge KSV, Belgium) Elderson Echiejile is in Nigeria’s World Cup squad as the second choice having lost his place to Bryan Idowu. It remains to be seen if Echiejile still has enough in him to battle Idowu for the left-back position. Date of Birth/ Age: January 20, 1988/30 International Caps: Apprearance: 60 Goals: 3 Assists: 4 2017/18 stats: Total games played: 12 Assists: 1 Goals scored: None. Bryan Idowu (Amkar Perm, Russia) Bryan Idowu made the final cut for the 2018 World Cup in Russia after posting a decent shift for the Super Eagles in their last three friendlies against Poland, Serbia and England. International Caps: Apprearance: 4 Goals: 1 Assists:1 Date of Birth/ Age: 2017/18 stats: Total games played at club level: 30 Assist: Nil Goals scored: 1 Chidozie Awaziem (Nantes FC, France) Chidozie Awaziem struggled in his last game for Super Eagles in their 2-0 defeat to Serbia. His inclusion in the team is just as a back-up to the duo of William Troost-Ekong and Leon Balogun Date of Birth/ Age:January 1, 1997/21 International Caps: Apprearance: 3 Goals: None Assists: Nil 2017/18 stats: Total games played: 23 Assist: None Goals scored: 1 William Troost-Ekong (Bursaspor FC, Turkey) William Troost-Ekong is one of Nigeria’s best defenders going to the World Cup. The Bursaspor centre-back has formed a formidable partnership with Leon Balogun in the heart of the Super Eagles defence. He has been consistent for club and country for the past ten months. International Caps: Apprearance: 18 Goals: 1 Assists: None Date of Birth/ Age: September 1, 1993/24 2017/18 stats: Total games played at club level: 31 Assists: None Goals scored: 2 Leon Balogun (Brighton, England) Leon Balogun brings a lot of quality and stability to the team when he is fit. His only problem is just staying fully fit. The medical team must be at their best to ensure the 29-year-old regains full fitness before the team’s opening game following his minor head knock injury. Date of Birth/ Age: June 28, 1988/29 International Caps: Apprearance: 16 Goals: None Assists: None 2017/18 stats: Total games played: 15 Assist: None Goals scored: None Kenneth Omeruo (Chelsea, England): Kenneth Omeruo has played himself back into reckoning in the Super Eagles, but he is now the third choice centre-back.The Chelsea loanee has been consistent for his Turkish club Kasimpasa which earned him a place in the final squad. 2017/18 stat: Date of Birth/ Age: October 3,1993/24 International Caps Apprearance: 37 Goals: None Assists: None Total games played at club level: 28 Assist: None Goals scored: 1 MIDFIELDERS Mikel Obi (Tianjin Teda, China) Mikel Obi remains the brain box of the team; his influence and wealth of experience playing at the highest level with Chelsea before his move to China over a year ago will be looked upon for inspiration when the going gets tough in Russia. Date of Birth/ Age:April 22, 1987/31 International level Apprearance: 83 Goals: 6 Assists: 9 2017/18 stats: Total games played: 10 Assist: 2 Goals scored: 1 Ogenyi Onazi (Trabzonspor FC, Turkey) Fit again Ogenyi Onazi was a flop in the team’s last defeat to England. His starting place is under serious threat with the emergence of Oghenekaro Etebo. Despite lacking good passing skills, the tireless midfielder is one of Gernot Rohr’s trusted men in midfield. Date of Birth/ Age:December 25,1992/ 25 International Caps: Apprearance: 50 Goals: 1 Assists:3 2017/18 stats: Total games played: 23 Assists: 2 Goals scored: 3 Wilfred Ndidi (Leicester City, England) Wilfred Ndidi was one of the most consistent players for club and country in the last one year. But his hamstring injury could mea the 21 year old may not be at his very best. The medical team of the Super Eagles have assured that the Leicester City midfielder will be ‘super fit’ for the World Cup but the biggest question is if he will be in form for the Super Eagles when he anchors in midfield. Date of Birth/ Age: December 16, 1996/21 International Caps: Apprearance: 10 Goals: None Assists: None. 2017/18 stats: Total games played: 38 Assists: 4 Goals scored: 1 Oghenekaro Etebo (Feriense/Las Palmas, Spain) Oghenekaro Etebo showed he could be relied upon when he is needed. The CD Feriense star came on at half time against England to stabilise the Super Eagles midfield with his crisp passing and timely runs.. The midfielder was immense for loan club Las Palmas who suffered relegation at the end of the season. Date of Birth/ Age:November 9, 1995/22 International Caps: Apprearance: 12 Goals: 1 Assists:1 2017/18 stats: Total games played: 29 Assists: 3 Goals scored: 4 John Ogu (Hapoel Be’er Sheva, Israel) The 30-year-old John Ogu will be brimming in confidence after he was named in the final squad for Russia. Ogu is the only player in squad to have won a league title this season. Having missed out on the provisional squad to the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, Ogu will be keen to start in Russia. Date of Birth/ Age:April 20, 1988 (age 30 years) International Caps: Apprearance: 18 Goals: 2 2017/18 stats: Total games played: 31 Assists: None Goals scored: 2 Joel Obi (Torino FC, Italy) Joel Obi nicked a spot on the plane to Russia despite his poor display against England. He will need to buckle up to reclaim his place in the starting line-up. Date of Birth/ Age: May 22,1991/27 International Caps: Apprearance: 15 Goals: 0 Assists:1 2017/18 stats: Total games played: 25 Assists: 2 Goals scored: 6 FORWARDS Ahmed Musa (Leicester City/CSKA Moscow, Russia) Ahmed Musa rediscovered his goal scoring form playing regularly for CSKA Moscow whom he joined on a six-month loan deal from Leicester City. With his confidence back, Musa earned himself another World Cup appearance in Russia. Date of Birth/ Age: October 14, 1992/25 International Caps: Apprearance: 69 Goals: 13 Assists:6 2017/18 stats: Total games played: 23 Assists: 6 Goals scored: 9 Kelechi Iheanacho (Leicester City, England) Iheanacho gained momentum with Leicester City towards the end of the English Premier League season scoring two goals in his last two games he started as a striker. Ihenacho remains Nigeria’s national team most prolific player in the past one year, scoring four goals in nine games for the Super Eagles. Though he was a shadow of himself playing against DR Congo.. Date of Birth/ Age:October 3,1991/21 International Caps: Apprearance: 15 Goals: 8 Assists:3 2017/18 stats: Total games played at club level: 30 Assists: 4 Goals scored: 9 Victor Moses (Chelsea FC, England) Victor Moses is one of the biggest names in Gernot Rohr’s squad. He has been impressive playing as a wing-back for Chelsea for the past two seasons. Moses played crucial roles as Nigeria qualified for the 2018 FIFA World Cup without losing a game. He remains a catalyst in the Eagles attack in Russia. Date of Birth/ Age:December 12, 1990/27 International Caps: Apprearance: 32 Goals: 11 Assists:5 2017/18 stats: Total games played: 36 Assists: 4 Goals scored: 4 Odion Ighalo (Changchun Yatai, China) Apart from Odion Ighalo, the Super Eagles do not have a prolific forward that could get goals out of nothing. Despite firing blanks in his last game with Changchun Yatai, the former Watford striker has scored seven goals in ten league appearances in the Chinese Super League. 2017/18 stats Date of Birth/ Age: June 16, 1989/ 28 International Caps: Apprearance: 17 Goals: 4 Assists:2 2017/18 stats: Total games played: 10 Assists: None Goals scored: 7 Alex Iwobi (Arsenal FC, England) Iwobi remains a great hope for Nigeria if he rediscovers the form that shot him to prominence. The 22 year old was Nigeria’s top star at Wembley against England. He could be Nigeria’s joker in Russia. Date of Birth/ Age: May 3, 1996/22 International Caps: Apprearance: 16 Goals: 4 Assists:1 2017/18 stats: Total games played: 39 Assists: 7 Goals scored: 3 Simeon Nwankwo (Crotone FC, Italy) Date of Birth/ Age:7 May 1992, /26 International Level: Apprearance: 1 Goals: 0 Assists:0 Total games played at club level: 23 Assists: 1 Goals scored: 7 Story credit: completesportsnigeria.com