Okay, here’s my take on the Nigerian squad announcement, filtered through the lens of someone who’s seen these cycles play out more than once:

So, Nigeria’s squad list is out for the World Cup play-off tournament in Rabat. Usual suspects like Osimhen, Ekong, and Iwobi are headlining, as expected. No real surprises there, and frankly, if they weren’t, that would be news. Eric Chelle’s leading them, his first major tournament at the helm, which adds a certain pressure – both for him and the team. I’m curious to see how he handles it. Fresh blood always brings new dynamics.

Looking at the roster, it’s a blend, as always. You’ve got the established European-based players – a decent Fulham contingent with Bassey, Iwobi and Chukwueze – alongside guys playing in…lesser heralded leagues. South Africa, Tanzania…it speaks to the global reach of the talent pool, for sure, but it also raises the question of cohesion. Can they gel quickly enough in these high-pressure situations? The chemistry will be critical, of course.

And the return of Okoye is interesting. There was that whole drama a while back with perceived social media abuse after a particularly rough patch. Bringing him back suggests a mending of fences, or maybe just a pragmatic need for his skills. Hard to tell from the outside. But as far as the goalkeeping position is concerned, I wonder if Nwabali will remain the first-choice goalkeeper, considering his excellent performances at the last African Cup of Nations.

Ajayi’s suspension is a blow, no question. Yellow card accumulation always feels like such a preventable frustration. One less option at the back is never ideal, especially heading into a tournament like this.

The tournament format is interesting: Gabon in the semi-final. They can be dangerous on their day, but Nigeria should have the edge on paper. Cameroon or DRC in the final, assuming they get there? That’s a whole different ball game, much stiffer competition. Familiar foes.

Honestly, squad announcements are always a mix of hope, expectation, and a healthy dose of “wait and see.” On paper, this squad has potential. But football matches aren’t played on paper, are they? The real test is how Chelle molds them into a cohesive unit, and how those players respond under pressure. We will see. There are many talented players in that lineup.