Super Eagles interim boss Augustine Eguaveon on Saturday released a final 28-man shortlist that will represent Nigeria in the 2022 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) built to take place in Cameroon next month.
The list caused an uproar as some inclusions were questionable while others asked for an explanation on some key absentees.
The likes of Genk topscorer Paul Onuacho, Watford Oghenegaro Etebo, Samuel Kalu, Henry Onyekuru, Cyril Dessers, Silas Nwankwo and Charles Atshemini were absent from the list.
Instead, the likes of Odion Ighalo were called out of retirement back to the squad, Ahmed Musa who has played a limited role in the National team in recent years and Enyimba bench warmer John Noble were included in the squad.
It has been noted over the years that since the departure of Vincent Enyeama, the Super Eagles have lacked save hands between the sticks, with Francis Uzohu coming in and doing the little he can before Maduka Okoroye was convinced to switch allegiance from Germany to Nigeria.
The Sparta Rotterdam man has shown some glimpse since joining the Eagles but still needs some competition to up his game.
Daniel Akpeyi is aging and should be towards his safe landing from the Eagles camp.
Over a season ago, former Akwa United Goalkeeper Ojo Olorenleke has been the number one choice for Enyimba Football Club of Aba, with John Noble relegated to the bench.
But the latter was invited to the National Team for the AFCON while playing as Understudy for Ojo who is also eligible to play for the Eagles but was not chosen.
Current NPFL Champions Akwa United have one of the best goalkeepers in the league as he kept more clean sheets than any other shot-stopper in the division last term, but it was a shame to see his second man Jean Efala invited to the Cameroon National team while his country invited a bench warmer.
The selection of Noble speaks negatively of the credibility of the recruitment process of the Nigeria Football Federation and a need for more visuals in the coverage of NPFL.
Commending the addition of South African-based Oliseh Nda as a top-class decision is perfect but the Eagles defense needs a reinforcement.
William Troost-Ekong has been inconsistent for his side Watford in recent weeks, with his blunders causing the Canaries points and conceding silly penalties.
The Akwa Ibom man needs a challenger in his position to sit up, but from the squad available, it seems the contest for places is already lacking. This is where Kalvin Philip would have stepped in.
With Kenneth Omeruo who has been on the sidelines for the Eagles in recent times, it is out of place to think he will be played in important games when Ekong and Balogun are fit.
Abdullahi Shehu is another surprising inclusion as the defender has been inconsistent even for his club side in Cyprus.
With Wilfred Ndidi touted to be injured as he sat out his side’s defeat to Manchester City at the weekend, the midfield is filled with inexperience as Etebo is out injured leaving just Joe Aribo as the only experienced man who has not played an AFCON tournament all his life.
Nwakali will make his long-overdue Eagles debut in a competitive game, but his wait has been caused by the midfielder himself who has delayed the process of his development owing to his colleague at the U17 level Kelechi Iheanacho already being a senior member of the squad.
The Eagles’ attack is the area of concern as some names appear too old while others who are supposed to be included are absent.
The return of Odion Ighalo brings a surprise as his presence means very little or nothing to the side.
Ighalo is yet to start a game for the Eagles since he was called out of retirement yet, players like Akinwunmi Amoo who plys his trade with Swedish side Hammarby, NPFL top goalscorers Charles Atshemini who now plays in Portugal and Silas Nwankwo who should be injected as new blood into the Eagles to encourage competition are not included.
Paul Onuacho was reported to be injured and his club announced the extent of the injury to be just four weeks, yet the big man who scores for fun for Genk was dropped.
It is obvious that no member of the last two U23 sides makes it to the senior team, drawing a big question on where lies the future of the Super Eagles.
Just one inclusion from the NPFL, another question on the need for the domestic league.
Young players dropped for aged members to be called, more questions on the scouting system by the NFF.
The Super Eagles are drawn against The Pharaohs of Egypt, Sudan and Guinea-Bissau in group D as they will start their fixture against Egypt on January 11.
