Segun Odegbami, a celebrated icon in Nigerian football history, has called for a thorough overhaul of the Super Eagles squad. He stresses the importance of injecting young, dynamic players to rejuvenate the national team, especially as Nigeria faces the risk of missing out on the 2026 World Cup, reports Soccernet.ng.
The 1980 Africa Cup of Nations winner expressed his apprehension amid Nigeria’s dwindling prospects of qualifying for the upcoming World Cup.
With just two qualification matches left, the Super Eagles currently trail behind South Africa and Benin Republic in the group standings, making their path to the tournament increasingly uncertain.
Unless a dramatic turnaround occurs in the final fixtures, South Africa is poised to secure the group’s qualification slot, which would mark Nigeria’s second consecutive absence from the World Cup following their failure to qualify for Qatar 2022.
Odegbami did not mince words when evaluating the current roster, branding many of the seasoned players as overrated and unworthy of donning the national jersey.
defender Benjamin Fredrick” width=”750″ height=”1125″ />He advocates for a strategic focus on developing emerging talents, spotlighting Brighton’s defender Benjamin Fredrick and AC Milan’s rising star David Odogu as pivotal players to build the team’s future around.
“Benjamin Fredrick, who debuted at just 20, showcased remarkable composure and confidence in the match against Rwanda,” Odegbami wrote in his column for The Guardian.
“It was baffling to see him benched in the subsequent game in favor of the veteran William Troost-Ekong (editor’s note: Fredrick started but was substituted at halftime). To me, Benjamin stands out as the most promising talent discovered this year.”
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Fredrick’s maturity and calmness on the pitch, despite his youth, have earned widespread acclaim following his performances against Rwanda and South Africa.
Odegbami also urged the Nigeria Football Federation to act swiftly in securing the allegiance of David Odogu, a 19-year-old defender who recently moved from Wolfsburg to AC Milan for €10 million, encouraging him to choose Nigeria over Germany.
“There is a wealth of young talent emerging across Europe who remain unblemished by the flaws of the current squad,” Odegbami stated.
“David Odogu is a prime example. I first highlighted him about a year ago when he was 18 and a key player in Germany’s Under-17 World Cup-winning team.
“His recent transfer to AC Milan confirms his high potential. Nigeria has a golden opportunity to win his commitment. Together with Benjamin Fredrick, they could form Africa’s most formidable central defensive partnership for the next decade.”
Born in Berlin to a Nigerian father, Odogu has represented Germany at the U-17 level, playing a significant role in their victories at the 2023 UEFA European Championship and FIFA U-17 World Cup.
Despite his youth appearances for Germany, he remains eligible to switch allegiance and represent Nigeria at the senior international level.
Odegbami is optimistic that securing Odogu’s commitment, alongside placing trust in Fredrick’s talents, could establish a solid foundation for a revitalized Nigerian defense, promising stability and success for years to come.
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