Peseiro needs more Iwobi alternatives in the Super Eagles midfield

The Super Eagles list for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Guinea-Bissau was announced on Thursday with few surprises. 

On one hand, hitherto uncapped players were called up by Jose Peseiro especially in the goalkeeping section as well as in the defence. 

However, there was only one player named in the team as an outright attacking midfielder. Alex Iwobi. 

Southampton's Joe Aribo has been misconstrued to be an attacking midfield player for the Nigeria national team as he did for Rangers in Scotland and at Southampton in the Premier League. 

Even if he is adept at playing behind the striker, Aribo has not been able to help his relegation- threatened Saints this season with the magic wand that most creative players in central midfield possess and fielding him at the expense of regular players for club and country will be unfair. 

The former Rangers FC of Scotland player is a player of immense quality no doubt but another player has been consistent for his club. 

With invitations to national team expected to be based on who has done what for their clubs in recent matches, the playmaking role will go to Everton’s Alex Iwobi, as his form in the Premier League deserves it. 

With the returning Frank Onyeka expected to pair Ndidi in the defensive midfield places, Aribo could find himself looking on from the subs bench.

Iwobi is expected to start on March 24 and 27 against Guinea-Bissau but it is time for coach Peseiro to seriously consider having more attacking midfield options in his kitty. 

All Nigeria Soccer verdict: Iwobi to start in those games but Jose Peseiro needs to enforce serious competitions in the creative midfield position. 

 Izuchukwu Michael

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