With the Super Eagles heading to crucial 2026 World Cup qualifiers against South Africa and Benin this June, the team knows that nothing but the six points will be a perfect way to start Finidi George’s reign as Head Coach.
However, some players are aware that these games will afford them the chance to win their way into Finidi’s heart and they are working hard to impress and step up from being fringe to regular key role players.
Completesports.com‘s AUGUSTINE AKHILOMEN highlights the topmost eight talented but bit part players now striving to impress Finidi, aiming to become part of the mainstay of the Nigeria’s national team.
Terem Moffi (OGC Nice)
Having had an impressive campaign in Ligue 1 with OGC Nice, Moffi will be hoping to replicate his goal-scoring prowess under the watchful eyes of Finidi George as Super Eagles Head Coach in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers against South Africa and Benin, respectively.
Also Read – 2026 WCQ: We Expect South Africa To Come For Revenge –Ndidi
Moffi, who has been playing second fiddle to Victor Osimhen, has netted four goals in 16 appearances for the Super Eagles. However, with the absence of the Napoli striker, Moffi knows he has the opportunity of grabbing the headline with his goals and a convincing all-round performance.
Fisayo Dele-Bashiru (Hatayspor)
With the Super Eagles’ lack of creativity in the midfield, Dele-Bashiru may probably want to prove his worth if given the chance to start against South Africa and Benin.
Known for his pace, energy, and passes, the Hatayspor star though knows he has a fight on his hands, with Alex Iwobi still recognised as the Super Eagles’ first-choice player in the midfield.
This is his another invitation to the senior national team after the previous one in March 2024, and he will be eager to win the heart of Findi in training.
Maduka Okoye (Udinese)
Okoye is one goalkeeper that will be keen to show the technical crew that he has that confidence to stand between the sticks for the Super Eagles after his impressive performance for Udinese in the Serie A this just-concluded season.
Recall that this is Okoye’s first call-up since October 2023, when he was invited for friendlies against Saudi Arabia and Mozambique. He did not feature in any of those games. He also has not played for Nigeria since the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon.
Although Chippa United shot-stopper Stanley Nwabali has been Nigeria’s number-one goalie since the 2023 AFCON, where the Super Eagles finished as runners-up, Okoye will be hoping to get his chance under Finidi’s watch.
Also Read: 10 Interesting Facts About Super Eagles Vs Bafana Bafana
Nwabali is likely to continue in that role despite the return of Okoye to the national fold.
Benjamin Tanimu (Singida Black Stars)
In the absence of William Troost-Ekong, Kenneth Omeruo, and Leon Balogun, the Tanzania-based Tanimu’s chances of starting in the defence against South Africa and Benin appear to be bright. And he knows he must impress critics who have questioned the invitation of Tanzanian league player.
Having played under Finidi in the Super Eagles’ 2-1 over Ghana in the former Ajax star’s first game as an interim coach of the team last month, Tanimu could well get another opportunity to man that position.
Ibrahim Olawoyin (Caykur Rizespor)
A late-minute replacement for Bayer Leverkusen winger Nathan Tella, who withdrew from the squad for family issue reasons, Olawoyin will also want to grab the opportunity of earning his way into the Super Eagles after an impressive season with Caykur Rizespor in Turkey.
He is also Nigeria’s highest-scoring midfielder in Europe, with only Leicester’s Wilfred Ndidi close to him with his four goals and five assists in 32 appearances for the Championship winners.
Olawoyin made 38 appearances, scored eight goals, and bagged three assists in the Turkish League.
Ismail Sodiq (Remo Stars)
Regarded as one of the best left-backs in the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) with Remo Stars, Sodiq, like every other player, will be hoping to catch the attention of the Super Eagles Head Coach.
The right-back has been handed his maiden invitation to the Super Eagles for the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against South Africa and the Benin Republic.
Also Read: 7 Eagles Who Became Champions Overseas In 2023/24 Season
Sodiq, alongside Olorunleke Ojo and Kenneth Igboke, are the only home-based players in the squad for the current Super Eagles’ assignment.
Alhassan Yusuf (Royal Antwerp)
Yet to establish himself in the Super Eagles midfield despite playing for the team at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in Cote d’Ivoire, Yusuf will also be hoping to make a statement of intent under Finidi.
With lack of serious competition in the Eagles’ midfield, the Antwerp star may not be deterred by this, as he hopes to find his way straight into Finidi’s game plan ahead of Nigeria’s clashes against South Africa and Benin.
Paul Onuachu (Trabzonspor)
Despite his goal-scoring form for Trabzonspor in Turkey this just-concluded season, Onuachu will be desperate to warm his way into the heart of Finidi George.
Although Onuachu is not a stranger in the senior national team, he has always played bit part role, under the shadow ls of Victor Osimhen, whenever both were invited.
This may just be Onuachu’s chance to convince the Super Eagles’ ne Head Coach that he can be called upon for goals if given the opportunity to play tangible role against South Africa and Benin.
Adelaars zijn majestueuze roofvogels die bekend staan om hun kracht, snelheid en scherpe zintuigen. In de natuur spelen ze een belangrijke rol als top roofdieren, maar ook in de wereld van sport en entertainment zijn adelaars steeds vaker te zien als vaste sleutelspelers. Met hun indrukwekkende verschijning en vliegkunsten weten ze het publiek keer op keer te imponeren.
Er zijn verschillende soorten adelaars die worden gebruikt in shows en evenementen, waaronder de Amerikaanse zeearend, de steenarend en de steppearend. Deze adelaars worden getraind door ervaren valkeniers en trainers om verschillende kunstjes en vliegshows uit te voeren. Door hun natuurlijke behendigheid en intelligentie zijn adelaars in staat om complexe manoeuvres uit te voeren en indrukwekkende stunts te laten zien.
In de wereld van sport worden adelaars steeds vaker ingezet als mascottes voor teams en clubs. Met hun krachtige uitstraling en symboliek van moed en vrijheid weten adelaars fans te inspireren en aan te moedigen tijdens wedstrijden en evenementen. Ook in de film- en televisie-industrie zijn adelaars populair als symbolen van macht en vrijheid, en worden ze vaak gebruikt in films en tv-shows om een dramatisch effect te creëren.
Naast hun optredens in shows en evenementen spelen adelaars ook een belangrijke rol in het behoud van de natuur en het ecosysteem. Als top roofdieren helpen ze om de populatie van prooidieren in balans te houden en dragen ze bij aan het behoud van biodiversiteit. Door adelaars te trainen en te gebruiken in educatieve programma’s kunnen mensen meer leren over deze prachtige vogels en het belang van het behoud van hun leefgebieden.
Al met al streven adelaars naar een grotere rol als vaste sleutelspelers in verschillende aspecten van onze samenleving, van entertainment tot natuurbehoud. Met hun kracht, schoonheid en symboliek weten adelaars keer op keer indruk te maken en een blijvende impact achter te laten op ons leven. Het is dan ook geen verrassing dat deze majestueuze roofvogels steeds meer worden gewaardeerd en bewonderd door mensen over de hele wereld.
