As new Super Eagles coach Gernot Rohr settles down to the task of qualifying Nigeria for the 2018 World Cup in Russia.
Owngoalnigeria.com takes a look at some players who have played for the senior national team of Nigeria, at various intervals but presently stands no chance of representing the country during the World Cup 2018 qualifying series.
Daniel Akpeyi (Chippa United)
The Chippa United shot stopper was anointed by former Super Eagles goalkepper Vincent Enyeama as his successor but the emergence of Carl Ikeme has put a hold to his international hopes.
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Rohr is now focused on three goalkeepers Carl Ikeme, Ikechukwu Ezenwa and Emmanuel Daniel and from leaks gathered by Owngoalnigeria.com, the only goalkepper he wants back is erstwhile number one Vincent Enyeama.
Efe Ambrose (Celtic)
He has survived four different Super Eagles coaches but unless his poor form and lack of games at Celtic change for the good, his national team career is as good as over after four years.
Raheem Lawal (Osmanlispor)
A bit harsh to suggest he has no future with the Super Eagles but from the plethora of options available in his preferred role. He stands no chance of earning a recall to the team he represented during the ill fated 2015 Nations Cup qualifiers and recently in a friendly game against Luxembourg.
Aaron Samuel ( Guangzhou R&F)
His case wasn’t helped by a serious knee injury that rocked his proposed deal with Russian giants CSKA Moscow. Came to prominence during the 2015 AFCON qualifiers and was given a look in during the recent AFCON 2017 double header against Egypt but didn’t make the match day squad for both games.
He presently stands no chance of playing under Rohr.
Slyvester Igbonu (UFA)
A regular in the team under Sunday Oliseh. The Russia based forward days with the Super Eagles were over from the day Oliseh was sacked as it appears only the coach has trust in his abilities. His chances under the German coach is not anyway close to bright.
Azubuike Okechukwu (Yeni Malatyaspor)
Won himself lots of admirers during Nigeria Under-23 campaign at the Olympics in Rio which Nigeria won bronze.
However despite having one cap for Nigeria, for now the new Super Eagles manager has options ahead of him and his case is made worst by the fact that he plays in the Turkish second division.
Joel Obi (Torino)
Forever on the fringes of the Super Eagles. Usually close to a breakthrough but never close enough to making a mark no thanks to injury. Presently not doing bad at Italian side Torino but has no chance of playing for Nigeria anytime soon with Rohr at the helm as coach.
Azubuike Egwuekwe (KuPS)
Late coach Stephen Keshi favourite defender. The AFCON 2013 nations cup winner is currently one of the best centre defenders in Finland but still no where close to what Rohr wants in his centre back. His days with the Nigeria national team is good as over under the German.
Paul Onobi (KuPS)
Sunday Oliseh’s trusted midfielder who once kept Chelsea ace Mikel Obi out of the team during the tenure of Oliseh as coach of the Super Eagles. A poor CHAN display, a not too impressive move to Finland coupled with better options ahead of him, should make him focus more on his club career for now.
Nnamdi Oduamadi (HJK)
Not setting the world on fire in Finland as expected. The AC Milan loanee is no doubt heavily talented but an unstable club career ruined his chances with the Super Eagles. He recently lost his spot as a starter for HJK. A sign of the little progress he has made which could further keep him out of the team.
* This list is by no means official. It is purely the opinion of the writer hence it’s not binding.
