Peserio sticks with old guard as he invites 25 for Algeria friendly but surprisingly omits Aribo

SUPER Eagles head coach José Peseiro has opted to keep faith with the old guard calling up 25 players for Nigeria's forthcoming friendly against Algeria's Desert Foxes on September 27 with many of his invitees not having seen action so far this season.

Later this month, Nigeria will lock horns with Algeria in the coastal city of Oran on the banks of the Mediterranean Sea. Neither team qualified for the 2022 World Cup, so they will be using the match to rebuild their squads ahead of next year's African Cup of Nations due to take place in Ivory Coast.

This morning, Mr Peseiro released his list of 25 players including the likes of captain Ahmed Musa, vice captain William Ekong and 23 other players. Also called up are regular goalkeepers Francis Uzoho and Maduka Okoye, alongside centrebacks defenders Kenneth Omeruo, Chidozie Awaziem and Calvin Bassey.

Midfielders Wilfred Ndidi and Alex Iwobi, and forwards Moses Simon, Samuel Chukwueze, Taiwo Awoniyi and Cyriel Dessers have also been invited. Only Richard Onyedika, of Belgian side Club Brugge, is a new face in the group, although defender Kevin Akpoguma of German Bundesliga side Hoffenheim returns to the fold.

One big surprise is the omission of Southampton's Joe Aribo from the squad. Aribo's absence is a strange one, considering only four midfielders were invited, with two being defensive midfielders.

Since making his debut in 2019, Aribo has been one of the key players in the Super Eagles squad. Other major absentees are strikers Victor Osimhen and Sadiq Umar but in their case, they are both injured, as is full back Collins Jamilu.

Full squad:

Goalkeepers

Francis Uzoho, Maduka Okoye, Adeleye Adebayo

 Defenders

William Ekong, Kenneth Omeruo, Chidozie Awaziem, Olaoluwa Aina, Calvin Bassey, Zaidu Sanusi, Kevin Akpoguma, Leon Balogun

Midfielders

Wilfred Ndidi, Frank Onyeka, Alex Iwobi, Richard Onyedika

Forwards

Ahmed Musa, Kelechi Iheanacho, Moses Simon, Samuel Chukwueze, Ademola Lookman, Henry Onyekuru, Taiwo Awoniyi, Chidera Ejuke, Cyriel Dessers, Terem Moffi