ANAEDOONLINE.NG has reliably learned that footballers from the Nigeria Professional Football League may be ruled out of the Super Eagles’ international friendly against Algeria in Oran on September 27.
The match, scheduled for the Miloud-Hadefi Olympic Stadium in Oran, will be their 22nd encounter since January 10, 1973, with the Eagles winning nine times, drawing three times, and losing nine times.
Due to their inactivity in recent months, Eagles coach Jose Peseiro, who will publish his squad selection for the game in the coming days, may not consider NPFL players.
Speaking with ANAEDOONLINE.NG, Eagles assistant coach, Finidi George, said it would be difficult to include the NPFL players in the squad for the game in Oran, as most of the Eagles B players were currently on holidays.
“Home-based players may not feature in the team for the friendly against Algeria because they just played in CHAN and will have to go for holidays,” Finidi told ANAEDOONLINE.NG
“After their exit against Ghana, they went for a break, so I don’t think these home-based players will be involved for this friendly.
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“Some of them are on holidays, some teams have not resumed pre-season, so it’s going to be difficult.”
The Eagles will be without injured quartet Umar Sadiq, Akinkumi Amoo, Semi Ajayi and Victor Osimhen for the encounter.
It remains to be seen who will lead the Eagles’ attack for the game, with Osimhen and Sadiq ruled out of the game.
“They said Osimhen’s injury is not that serious, but maybe he won’t be able to make the friendly game against Algeria. We’ll see if the injured players can make it or not, especially Osimhen,” Finidi added.
“For Sadiq, I think that is a critical one, those injuries take a longer time. I really feel for him, it’s very unfortunate but he will be back, he’s in Europe, and a lot of players have come out of it.”
Reacting, Enyimba defender, Adekunle Adeleke said,” The coach decides who to invite for games and that includes the NPFL players and I believe he will make the best choice for the team.
“We have enough quality players good enough to represent the country at any time.”
However, Jamiu Alimi, who is currently unattached disagreed.
The former Kano Pillars and Akwa United defender said players featuring for the NPFL teams competing in CAF competitions fit in if they are not engaged.
“We have players good enough for the team just like those playing in the CAF competitions with their teams. There should be plans for them,” he said.
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