Eguavoen says he would bring Victor Moses back of Nigeria qualifies for the World Cup

SUPER Eagles head coach Augustine Eguavoen has revealed that he would live to bring former Chelsea wingback Victor Moses into his squad as Nigeria prepares for the 2022 World Cup.

Moses, 31, retired from international football in 2018 after the last World Cup and has not been involved with Nigeria in any way shape of form since.  Nigeria face Ghana in a two-legged World Cup play-off later this month and if the Eagles win, they will be bound for Qatar 2022.

For now, Moses is not in the squad but Eguavoen has said that if was down to him,, the winger would be in his World Cup squad. If Nigeria qualifies for the World Cup, it is still not yet certain who will lead the Eagles to Qatar, as Eguavoen was only appointed on an interim basis and a substantive appointment is yet to be made.

Currently playing for Russian side Spartak Moscow, Moses' club football faces disruption as a result of the Russia-Ukraine War. However, it appears that if Eguavoen is still in charge of the Eagles beat Ghana and qualify for Qatar 2022, he will invite Moses back to the team for the World Cup.

Mr Eguavoen said: "We want the best for the country. Victor Moses is somebody I adore and I'm looking at ways of trying to get him in and we've spoken.

"Whether we like it or not, Victor Moses will still bring some value. Right now, he is playing in Russia, we all know the problems with Ukraine and Russia but I am happy to say that my conversation with him is settled."

Moses joined Spartak from Chelsea in July 2021 but he could leave the club in the coming weeks as Fifa has announced that foreign footballers playing in Russia can suspend their contracts and temporarily leave the country. Moses previously represented England up to Under-21 level, before switching allegiance to Nigeria and making his debut against Rwanda in 2012.

During his six year sojourn with the Super Eagles, Moses scored 12 goals in 37 appearances, helping Nigeria win the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations. His club career has seen him play for Crystal Palace, Wigan, Liverpool, West Ham, Inter Milan and Fenerbahce and he has represented Nigeria at two World Cups, in 2014 and 2018.

However, if Moses is invited back to the Eagles, he will face stiff competition from the likes of Samuel Chukwueze, Chidera Ejuke and Ademola Lookman.  Eguavoen has named a 25-man squad for their two-legged play-off against Ghana, which is scheduled to take place on March 25 and 29.