Golden Eaglets coach, Nduka Ugbade is upbeat that Victor Osimhen will retain his starting spot in the Super Eagles.
The coach made such assertion following the invitation of Victor Boniface and Gift Orban to the national team.
Recall, Coach, Jose Peseiro, included Boniface and Gift in his squad for the dead-rubber tie against Sao Tome and Principe. And according to pundits, the Portuguese tactician will likely give the new invitees a chance in the starting XI.
Interestingly, Victor Boniface is the current leading goalscorer in the German Bundesliga with four goals in three matches. And Gift Orban is also in top form for KAA Gent, scoring two goals in four matches for the Pro League side.
Meanwhile, Osimhen who won the Italian Serie A top scorer award last season, is on top gear this season. And had before the international break scored three times for the reigning Serie A champions.
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Based on Ugbade’s statement, Osimhen is in a world apart. And is not been threatened by the recent invitation of powerful goal-poachers.
Boniface, Orban not a threat to Victor Osimhen
“I personally don’t think so because everyone of them will have their part in the game against Sao Tome. Osimhen is world apart. He’s completely ahead of them regardless of how Boniface and Orban are painting Europe with goals,” he told CompleteSports Nigeria.
Speaking further, Ugbade opined that Nottingham Forest’s Taiwo Awoniyi should be rated above Boniface and Gift. Because he is also scoring goals almost every week for the English Premier League outfit.
“Even Awoniyi is also in the frame and can be consider to be ahead of them. Because he has also been scoring goals for Nottingham Forest in the Premier League,” he continued.
“The truth is that, everyone of them have been invited to contribute their quotas to the progress of the Super Eagles. In terms of experience, Osimhen, Awoniyi and even Kelechi Iheanacho have it because they have been at the World Cup.”
However, Ugbade admitted that “Boniface and Orban’s invitation is a good one because ‘God forbid’ if injury comes or lack of performance for the other players, these players can fill the void and make the Super Eagles stronger.”
Meanwhile, the invited players for the Super Eagles Vs Sao Tome and Principe match are the following:
Goalkeepers: Francis Uzoho, Adebayo Adeleye, Ojo Olorunleke.
Defenders: Semi Ajayi, William Troost-Ekong, Calvin Bassey, Jordan Torunarigha, Tyronne Ebuehi, Jamilu Collins, Bruno Onyemaechi, Olaoluwa Aina.
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Midfielders: Wilfred Ndidi, Frank Onyeka, Joe Aribo, Raphael Onyedika.
Forwards: Victor Osimhen, Victor Boniface, Kelechi Iheanacho, Moses Simon, Samuel Chukwueze, Gift Orban, Taiwo Awoniyi.
