Two new Super Eagles’ invitees, Gabriel Osho and Victor Collins have both received high ratings ahead of their arrivals for the first time in the Nigerian camp at the start of next week, sports247.ng gathered.
While forner Reading and Luton Town of England stopper, Gabriel Jeremiah Adedayo Osho arrives on a high from his current base at AJ Auxerre of France, Collins is a home-based player.
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Collins, who is also a centre back and stars for Nasarawa United of Lafia in the Nigerian Professional Football League (NPFL), will aim to rekindle interest in home-based players by Eagles’ coaches, while Osho has to fill in for injured Semi Ajayi.
Though initially invited in March for a 2026 World Cup qualifier in Uyo, Osho missed out due to injury and will now seek to eventually cement his status in the Nigerian squad, which is entering a reformative stage.
Fortunately for both defenders, one of the Eagles’ assistant coaches, Daniel Ogunmodede is already saying sweet things about them, as he threw more light on what they can offer the squad, whose camp opens officially on Monday in Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire.
Ogunmodede started by analysing highlights of the list of invitees submitted by Eagles’ interim head coach, Augustine Eguavoen, ahead of Thursday’s clash with The Cheetahs on neutral ground and then versus Amavubi of Rwanda in Uyo on November 18th.
Ogunmodede stated, “The head coach has come up with a list, discussed with us backroom staff. I think the chosen players are competent and capable of representing the country.
“They are all familiar faces, apart from Gabriel Osho that is new in the set-up.
“He is there now because Semi Ajayi has an injury and had to go for surgery.
“Sadiq (Umar) had been in the team but also had an injury and was out, but now he’s back.
“As for Collins, the coach felt we need another left back in defence. He is from the league and, to a reasonable extent, he has proven his worth.”
Ogunmodede, who still retains his position as head coach at NPFL side, Remo Stars of Ikenne, went on to explain the importance of having Collins on the Eagles’ roster, as was released early this week by Eguavoen.
“This is to show that the head coach is doing a massive job.
“He has gone round the country to watch the league. Victor Collins is possibly the strongest left footed centre back we presently have in the Nigerian Premier League,” Ogunmodede submitted.
He also affirmed that the Nigerian squad will go all out for victory in Thursday’s clash away to Benin Republic, though a draw would be enough to confirm the Eagles’ qualification for the 2025 AFCON.
