By VICTOR OKOYE

Head Coach Jose Santos Peseiro has recalled defenders Kenneth Omeruo and Bright Osayi-Samuel, as well as midfielder Alex Iwobi and forward Terem Moffi to the Super Eagles’ squad.

A statement by Ademola Olajire, NFF’s Director of Communications, said the call-up was for this month’s international friendly matches against Saudi Arabia and Mozambique in Portugal.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the players were absent from the team that demolished Sao Tome and Principe in last month’s 2023 AFCON qualifier in Uyo.

“Midfielder Fisayo Dele-Bashiru, of Hatayaspor FC of Turkey gets his first-ever invitation, while Peseiro has decided to retain the trio of Francis Uzoho, Adebayo Adeleye and Olorunleke Ojo in goal.

“Yet-to-be-capped defender Jordan Torunnarigha is also called.

“Wilfred Ndidi, who captained the team against Sao Tome and Principe, as well as Raphael Onyedika and forwards Moses Simon, Ademola Lookman, Victor Osimhen, Taiwo Awoniyi and Kelechi Iheanacho have also been invited,” the statement said.

The Super Eagles take on the Green Falcons of Saudi Arabia in the city of Portimão, Portugal on Oct. 13, starting at 5.00 p.m. before a clash with the Mambas of Mozambique in the same city three days later.

The statement also said the players were all expected to arrive in Faro, Portugal, on Oct. 10.

It noted that both encounters had been arranged as tune-up games for the Eagles ahead of the commencement of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying matches.

The three-time African champions host Lesotho’s Crocodiles in Uyo on Nov. 17 before traveling to play Zimbabwe four days later.

FULL LIST OF ALL INVITED PLAYERS:

Goalkeepers: Francis Uzoho (Omonia FC, Cyprus); Olorunleke Ojo (Enyimba FC); Adebayo Adeleye (Hapoel Jerusalem, Israel)

Defenders: Olaoluwa Aina (Nottingham Forest, England); Bright Osayi-Samuel (Fenerbahce FC, Turkey); Jordan Torunarigha (KAA Gent, Belgium); Kenneth Omeruo (Kasimpasa FC, Turkey); Oluwasemilogo Ajayi (West Bromwich Albion, England); Calvin Bassey (Fulham FC, England); Jamilu Collins (Cardiff FC, Wales); Bruno Onyemaechi (Boavista FC, Portugal)

Midfielders: Wilfred Ndidi (Leicester City, England); Raphael Onyedika (Club Brugge, Belgium); Joe Ayodele-Aribo (Southampton FC, England); Frank Onyeka (Brentford FC, England); Alex Iwobi (Fulham FC, England); Fisayo Dele-Bashiru (Hatayaspor FC, Turkey)

Forwards: Kelechi Iheanacho (Leicester City, England); Samuel Chukwueze (AC Milan, Italy); Moses Simon (FC Nantes, France); Ademola Lookman (Atalanta FC, Italy); Victor Osimhen (SSC Napoli, Italy); Taiwo Awoniyi (Nottingham Forest, England); Terem Moffi (OGC Nice, France); Victor Boniface (Bayer Leverkusen, Germany). (NAN)

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