2023 AFCON Qualifiers: Peseiro Backs Call-Ups Of Ndidi, Aribo, Onyeka

Head coach of the Super Eagles Jose Peseiro has defended his decision to extend invites to Wilfred Ndidi, Joe Aribo and Frank Onyeka who have been inactive in their respective clubs.

This set of players were included in the 23-man list for the Super Eagles Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Guinea-Bissau.

Their selection indeed got eyebrows raised considering that Aribo recorded only 37 minutes off the bench for Southampton after recovering from a minor injury, Onyeka got only 61 minutes for Brentford after recovering from a hamstring injury and Ndidi has been in and out of the Leicester City squad either because of injury or manger's choice.

Fielding a question on why call-ups were handed to the trio despite their lack of game time at their clubs, Peseiro said their inclusion in the squad is hinged on the fact that they are good players and can deliver for the team. 

"I understand the question. Many people asked why some players come and don't play. I want to build a team," the Portuguese told journalists after the Eagles' first training session on Monday.

He added: "For me, I prefer to choose the best players. The others play more times but for me, the best players are the best players.

"In their teams, they don't give them chances to play, it's my obligation, it's my goal, it's my responsibility to call them because I believe in them.

"If I see a better midfielder, I call them.

"If he's injured, it's different, they work well because I stay in contact every time with them.

"I ask the coaches and they say they work well, are fit and have a good performance, but they chose other players .

"They inform me the players don't have injuries and are fit.

"Our job is not easy because you need to choose not the same players but ninety percent the same players to improve our dynamics, improve our organization and build our spirit."

Nigeria will be in action against Guinea-Bissau on Friday at the Moshood Abiola Stadium in Abuja before travelling to play the reverse fixture next monday.