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By Ebenezer Bajela
Ahead of the friendly games against Saudi Arabia and Mozambique, Super Eagles head coach, Jose Peseiro, has handed late call-ups to the trio Sadiq Umar, Chidozie Awaziem and Tyronne Ebuehi, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.
The late invitation was largely due to injuries to Taiwo Awoniyi, Jamilu Collins and Ola Aina.
Nigeria take on the Green Falcons of Saudi Arabia in the city of Portimão, Portugal on Friday, October 13 before a clash with Mozambique in the same city three days later.
The players are all expected to arrive in Faro, Portugal on Tuesday, October 10.
PUNCH Sports Extra had earlier reported that the duo Collins and Aina were major doubts for the friendlies but surprisingly, the Portuguese tactician invited both players to the game.
It was however, confirmed on the team’s X handle on Monday that the two defenders won’t be available for the international break thus prompting the invitations to Awaziem and Ebuehi.
Awoniyi suffered a groined injury ahead of Nottingham Forest’s clash against Crystal Palace in the English Premier League on Saturday.
The player is expected to be out of action for a month and to fill his void, Real Sociedad’s Umar has been invited for the friendlies in Portugal.
Umar is yet to open his goal account this season with Sociedad, the Nigerian striker has recently been linked with a January move to Manchester United, a testament to his quality.
It is important to note that the Nigerian striker had last season marked by injuries, which has influenced his current performance. However, his record at Almería is impressive, having scored 43 goals and provided 13 assists in 84 games, highlighting his ability to be effective on the attacking front.
While speculations from local media suggest that Bright Osayi-Samuel and KAA Gent’s Jordan Torunarigha may not be fully fit for the upcoming matches, Torunarigha’s recent appearance for Gent against KRC Genk has eased Peseiro’s concerns ahead of the clash against Saudi Arabia.