Times have truly changed, for the better in some cases, but with the Super Eagles it’s hard to explain what to make of the rationale behind Jose Peseiro’s 23-man list for the 2024 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.
Nigeria tops group A in the qualifiers and are favorites, on paper, to pick 6points in the tie against Guinea-Bissau, so that could prompt the invitation of one or two experimental cases, but, Peseiro’s list is replete with them.
Contemporary history of the Super Eagles will fail to show that any Coach in the past had ever handed a call up to players in Academies. It’s a first.
The Super Eagles Coaches have capped Players in lower divisions, China and Cyprus, even unattached veterans, but never before has an academy player get a call up.
Could it be progress? Jose Peseiro has had a good working relationship with his employers, NFF, since the change of leadership.
The decision to hand Chijoke Aniagboso and Daniel Bameyi, who were also with the U20 MNT at the CAF U20 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt, could only mean it was cosigned or initiated by the Federation.
Surely, they may not be expected to play, but if Peseiro hands any of them minutes, it’ll be a new precedence in the senior NT.
Nigeria hosts the first-leg of the qualifiers on March 24, at the MKO Abiola Stadium.
