Peseiro calls up Dele-Bashiru for the first time as he invites 23 for Saudi and Mozambique friendlies

SUPER Eagles manager Jose Peseiro has invited 23 players to camp for the two friendly games taking place against Saudi Arabia and Mozambique later this month with former Manchester City midfielder Fisayo Dele-Bashiru getting his debut invitation.

On October 13, the Eagles will face Saudi Arabia at the Saudi Arabia at the Estadio Municipal de Portimão in the Algarve and then three days later will face Mozambique's national team the Black Mambas. Both matches have been organised to prepare the Super Eagles for their forthcoming 2026 World Cup qualifiers, which begin with a home fixture against Lesotho on November 13 in Uyo before travelling away to play Zimbabwe four days later.

Ahead of the matches, Mr Peseiro has recalled defenders Kenneth Omeruo and Bright Osayi-Samuel, as well as midfielder Alex Iwobi and forward Terem Moffi. This quartet were absent from the team that beat Sao Tome and Principe in last month’s 2023 Nations Cup qualifier in Uyo due to a combination of reasons, including injury and a loss of form.

Dele-Bashiru, 22, currently playing for Hatayaspor Turkey started out his career with Manchester City, who he joined at the age of just eight. He then moved to Sheffield Wednesday in July 2020 and in July three year, he moved to Turkey after signing a three year deal with Hatayaspor.

He gets his first-ever invitation, while Mr Peseiro has decided to retain the trio of Francis Uzoho, Adebayo Adeleye and Olorunleke Ojo in goal. Yet-to-be-capped defender Jordan Torunnarigha, who was first called up for last month's Nations Cup qualifier, is also called to camp.

Wilfred Ndidi, who captained the team against Sao Tome and Principe, as well as Raphael Onyedika and forwards Moses Simon, Ademola Lookman, Victor Osimhen, Taiwo Awoniyi and Kelechi Iheanacho have also been invited. All the players are expected to arrive in Faro, Portugal on Tuesday, October 10.

Both encounters have been arranged as tune-up games for the Eagles ahead of the commencement of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying matches, in which the three-time African champions host Lesotho’s Crocodiles in Uyo on 17th November before travelling away to play Zimbabwe four days later.

Goalkeepers:

Francis Uzoho (Omonia FC, Cyprus), Olorunleke Ojo (Enyimba FC), Adebayo Adeleye (Hapoel Jerusalem, Israel)

Defenders:

Olaoluwa Aina (Nottingham Forest, England), Bright Osayi-Samuel (Fenerbahce FC, Turkey), Jordan Torunarigha (KAA Gent, Belgium), Kenneth Omeruo (Kasimpasa FC, Turkey), Oluwasemilogo Ajayi (West Bromwich Albion, England), Calvin Bassey (Fulham FC, England), Jamilu Collins (Cardiff FC, Wales), Bruno Onyemaechi (Boavista FC, Portugal)

Midfielders:

Wilfred Ndidi (Leicester City, England), Raphael Onyedika (Club Brugge, Belgium), Joe Ayodele-Aribo (Southampton FC, England), Frank Onyeka (Brentford FC, England), Alex Iwobi (Fulham FC, England), Fisayo Dele-Bashiru (Hatayaspor FC, Turkey)

Forwards:

Kelechi Iheanacho (Leicester City, England), Samuel Chukwueze (AC Milan, Italy),Moses Simon (FC Nantes, France), Ademola Lookman (Atalanta FC, Italy), Victor Osimhen (SSC Napoli, Italy), Taiwo Awoniyi (Nottingham Forest, England), Terem Moffi (OGC Nice, France), Victor Boniface (Bayer Leverkusen, Germany)