The Super Eagles will take on Sierra Leone in a 2023 Africa Nations Cup qualifying match on Sunday in Monrovia, Sportivationng.com reports.
Jose Peseiro invited 23 players for the encounter, with the likes of Victor Osimhen, Alex Iwobi, Kelechi Iheanacho, Wilfred Ndidi, William Troost-Ekong and Ahmed Musa leading the pack.
Sportivationng.com brings you the five Super Eagles players to watch in the clash.
The Super Eagles need just a point to book a place in the competition and they will fancy their chances against the Leone Stars.
Victor Osimhen
The 24-year-old Napoli striker is brimming with confidence following a record-breaking 2022-23 season in the Italian Serie A.
Osimhen became the first-ever African to win the top scorer award in Italy with 26 goals in 32 games.
He also added five goals in the Uefa Champions League to cap off an exceptional season.
In recent times, Osimhen has always come to the party for Nigeria with impressive performances when called upon.
Osimhen scored in the first leg against the Leone Stars which ended 2-1 in favour of the Super Eagles.
He will be hoping to continue from where he stopped for Napoli with a goalscoring performance on Sunday.
You can’t bet against the Lagos-born star not scoring in the game on his current form.
Bright Osayi-Samuel
The Fenerbahce right-back is another exciting name to look out for in the Super Eagles team following his impressive performances for the team in the few games he has played.
He made his debut in the 4-0 loss to Portugal in 2022, he shone like a gold fish and he was a shining light in an otherwise shambolic performance from the Super Eagles team.
He is yet to put a foot wrong since he started donning the Super Eagles shirt. He is expected to keep his place in the lineup and the fans will be keeping an eye on him.
Taiwo Awoniyi
The Nottingham Forest forward is another Super Eagles star brimming with confidence following a stunning end to the 2022-23 Premier League season.
Awoniyi played a pivotal role to help Nottingham Forest avoid relegation, scoring a sublime brace against Chelsea.
He also scored the match-winner in the 1-0 win over Arsenal that confirmed their Premier League status in May.
The 25-year-old scored six goals in four matches in May to further underline his importance to Nottingham Forest.
In total, he scored 10 goals and recorded one assists in 27 Premier League appearances.
Awoniyi has not really been able to show his full potential for the Super Eagles, he will be hoping to remind Nigerians of his capabilities if he is handed the nod to pair Victor Osimhen in the starting line-up.
In terms of current form, He is certainly a shoo-in option to partner Victor Osimhen.
Samuel Chukwueze
Chukwueze was in his dazzling best for the Yellow Submarines in the just-concluded season, reminding all and sundry of his innate ability to cause problems for opposition defenders when he is at his best element.
The 24-year-old needs a big performance against Sierra Leone to remind Nigerians of his ability to get them off their feet with his dribbling skills, which has drawn comparison with the legendary Arjen Robben.
Chukwueze was ranked 6th best dribbler in Europe’s major leagues, in a list containing the likes of Lionel Messi, Vinicius Jr and others by Squawka.
He scored 13 goals and recorded 11 assists in all competitions for Villarreal in the just-concluded 2022-23 season.
Adebayo Adeleye
The Hapoel Jerusalem shot-stopper will be hoping to grab his chance if he is handed a starting shirt against the Leone Stars with the absence of Francis Uzoho and Maduka Okoye.
Adeleye was a shining star for his Israeli club, Hapoel Jerusalem and his form earned him a place in the Super Eagles team.
The 23-year-old is comfortable with his feet, a modern day requirement for a goalkeeper, he is also blessed with calming presence in goal coupled with the ability to produce stunning saves.
He has the opportunity to make the Super Eagles number one shirt his own with an impressive performance against the Leone Stars because the team has been struggling in the goalkeeping position in recent times.
Adeleye has to reproduce his club form or even do better, if he is given the opportunity to start by Jose Peseiro and his coaching crew.
