Five youngsters that could break into Nigeria’s World Cup squad

With the Super Eagles of Nigeria qualifying for the World Cup with a game to spare, Coach Gernot Rohr will now set his sights on the players that will make his 23-man squad for the soccer fiesta of next summer.

Over the years, experienced players have usually formed the crop of the team going into a major tournament like the World Cup, but with Rohr’s team having an average age of just over 24 years since he took charge, some young Nigerian players making waves for their club sides all around the world will be hoping the German tactician maintains that trend and put them on the flight to Russia.

Here are five youngsters that can break their way into the Super Eagles World Cup squad.

1. HENRY ONYEKURU

If there is one striker who has met all the criteria Gernot Rohr gave to be invited into the national team, it is Onyekuru. The youngster is banging in the goals in one of the top leagues in Europe, playing consistently every week in both the domestic league and Champion’s League, and more importantly, he’s a classy player.

However, all his exploits have just seen Rohr extend an invite to him twice (including the double header against Algeria and Argentina). His only appearance for the team has come in a friendly game against Togo, which was played in Corsica.


Henry Onyekuru scored 22 goals for KAS Eupen last season the Belgian league.
Onyekuru, who learnt his trade from the famed Aspire Academy in Qatar, has been firing on all cylinders in the Belgian division, having made his breakthrough with KAS Eupen last season where he plundered 22 goals to finish as the joint top scorer. Now with reigning champions Anderlecht on loan from Everton, the 20-year old has already registered seven goals in 14 appearances already this term.

One of the major attributes of Onyekuru as a forward player, is his flexibility. His repertoire of skills include him being able to play as a supporting striker or as a winger, which can definitely provide competition for the likes of Victor Moses and Alex Iwobi who currently occupy the wide areas in the team. These skill-sets are great attributes for the team, which Rohr cannot neglect going into the mundial.

2. VICTOR OSIMHEN

When Victor Osimhen burst into the footballing scene with his heroics at the U-17 World Cup in 2015 by scoring 10 goals in 7 appearances, the then 16-year old was mooted to be the heir apparent to Rashidi Yekini’s throne as the top goal scorer in the Super Eagles history.

Osimhen, who later joined up with German Bundesliga outfit VfL Wolfsburg, has made just four appearances for the team since making his debut in May of this year. That notwithstanding, the 18-year old has been able to make two appearances in the Super Eagles, which speaks volumes of the attributes the Ultimate Academy graduate brings to the table.


Victor Osimehn scored 10 goals at the Under 17 world cup in 2015.
Standing at 6ft 1in, the 18-year old will definitely provide options aerially for the team going forward, compared to the rather diminutive duo of Kelechi Iheanacho and Odion Ighalo whom Gernot Rohr has used as his front men in recent matches. His hold-up play is magnificent, and his link-up play while playing up front is second to none.

These qualities of his are worth looking at, especially if Rohr is looking for a Plan B to break down opponents if the sleek passing style of the team doesn’t yield results in the course of a game.

3. FRANCIS UZOHO

Francis Uzoho is the rave of the moment when it comes to Nigerian goalkeepers plying their trade outside the shores of the country. The youngster’s performance hasn’t gone unnoticed as Gernot Rohr just included him in the 24-man squad to play Algeria in dead rubber World Cup qualification match, and the friendly against Argentina in Krasnodar.

When Deportivo La Coruna’s coach Pepe Mel decided to throw him in the match against Elbar in the Spanish laliga which he displayed excellent between the sticks. He ensured a clean sheet in a game that ended goalless.

Henry onyekuru

That Henry Onyekuru guy looks young