General roster thoughts: In previous World Cups Nigeria’s roster either falls into one of two camps: an inexperienced side or a veteran-heavy side. This team is somewhere in the middle which may bode well for them. In the midfield they have a really interesting corps of size and speed (Victor Moses and Joel Obi) but also good tactical awareness which should help them in a challenging group (Wilfried Ndidi). While their goalkeeping is very suspect, their attacking options are aplenty.
Tyronne Ebuehi (Right-back, 22, Benfica)
Ebuehi just made the big move to Benfica after a solid, distinguished career at ADO Den Haag in the Eredivisie. His lightning quick speed makes him a real danger on counter-attacks and also running down forwards. But he is more than just athletic ability. Ebuehi worked his way up through the amateur ranks before earning a spot with Den Haag. Even that wasn’t a given and it took him a bit of time to earn his starting spot. Teams need one or two players that are willing to bring their lunchpail and go to work. Ebuehi is one of those types of players and his work ethic will be a valued asset to The Super Eagles.
Odion Ighalo (Forward, 28, Changchun Yatai)
When Ighalo made the move from Watford to Changchun Yatai in the Chinese Super League there was a perception that he might lose his spot in Nigeria’s National Team. But his form hasn’t depreciated since he made the jump. For club, he was just named April’s Player of the Month and is coming off of a 2017 campaign where he scored 17 goals. The question is now can it translate to goals and wins for Nigeria. He only has four goals for The Super Eagles, the last coming during World Cup qualification in September against Cameroon. Kelechi Iheanacho of Leicester City and Victor Moses of Chelsea are obviously the big names in this side. But against the likes of Argentina and Croatia those targets are going to be covered, leaving Ighalo with chances. He needs to finish them for Nigeria to advance.
Francis Uzoho (Goalkeeper, 19, Deportivo La Coruna)
Uzoho appears to have won the three horse race between himself, Daniel Akpeyi (Chippa United-South Africa) and Ichekukwu Ezenwa (Enyimba of Nigeria) given that he started their last two matches against Austria and England. While neither netted a positive result it gave the young keeper some very necessary experience. Uzoho certainly has the physical skills to play the position for years to come and he has shown an inkling towards developing the intangibles of the position (defensive organization, shape, pace, etc.) But he is still very, very raw and makes mistakes that so many goalkeepers make at the age of 19 do. There is nothing wrong with that but Nigeria are playing in the World Cup and they have aspirations beyond the Group Stage.
Still, Nigeria do not have a better second option and the rewards (more experience, more exposure, chance to improve his standing with Deportivo La Coruna or go on loan, etc.) outweigh the risks. For five years Nigeria have sought the replacement for Vincent Enyeama, the legendary keeper who made 101 appearances for the national team, and come up with nothing. They may have it in Uzoho but the learning curve may be rough in Russia.
Nigeria
2018 World Cup
