This Super Eagles, A Generation at Risk of Missing the FIFA World Cup Dream
Written by Alonge Akinlolu on 10 — 09
The FIFA World Cup remains the pinnacle of football, the tournament every player dreams of gracing at least once in their career. For the current generation of Nigeria’s Super Eagles, however, that dream is fast slipping away.
After missing out on Qatar 2022 and now failing to qualify for the 2026 World Cup set to be hosted across the USA, Canada, and Mexico, Nigeria’s next chance will only come in 2030. That tournament will be staged in Morocco but by then, many of the country’s established stars will be past their prime.
At present, the backbone of the Super Eagles is made up of players already in their late 20s and early 30s. Captain William Troost-Ekong, the leader at the heart of the defense, is 32 and would be 37 at the time of the next World Cup. Other experienced campaigners such as Moses Simon (30), Cyriel Dessers (30), and goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali (29) will all be 34–35 by then. Midfield orchestrator Alex Iwobi (29) and defensive stalwart Ola Aina (28) also fall into this category.
The midfield and attack feature several key names who will also be in their 30s:
Wilfred Ndidi (28 → 33)
Taiwo Awoniyi (28 → 33)
Chidozie Awaziem (28 → 33)
Kelechi Iheanacho (28 → 33)
Umar Sodiq (28 → 33)
Ademola Lookman (27 → 32)
Frank Onyeka (27 → 32)
Bright Osayi-Samuel (27 → 32)
Chidera Ejuke (27 → 32)
Kelechi Nwakali (27 → 32)
Gabriel Osho (27 → 32)
Even the country’s star striker Victor Osimhen, is 26 now and would be 31 by the time Morocco 2030 comes around. He belongs to a group of players including Bruno Onyemaechi (26 → 31), Samuel Chukwueze (26 → 31), Nathan Tella (26 → 31), and Terem Moffi (26 → 31) who might still play at a high level, but not with the same youthful explosiveness.
The younger crop of the squad offers some hope. Calvin Bassey (25 → 30) is still developing into a defensive rock, while Felix Agu (25 → 30), Amas Obasogie (25 → 30), Adebayo Adeleye (25 → 30), Akor Adams (25 → 30), Igho Ogbu (25 → 30), and Alhassan Yusuf (25 → 30) will all be right at the edge of their prime years.
Simon Moses, Samuel Chukwueze and Cyriel Dessers at training on Monday.
PHOTO 2: Chidozie Awaziem leads at training.
PHOTO 3: Players and officials after Monday’s official training at the Toyota Stadium.
Midfield talents Raphael Onyedika (24 → 29) and Fisayo Dele-Bashiru (24 → 29), alongside strikers Victor Boniface (24 → 29) and Tolu Arokodare (24 → 29), represent the players who could become the spine of Nigeria’s team heading into the next World Cup.
Even younger is Chrisantus Uche (22 → 27), who should be approaching maturity by then. And then comes the teenage defender Benjamin Fredrick (20 → 25) and 15-year-old prospect Ebenezer Harcourt (15 → 20), who could symbolize the new generation ready to step into the shoes of today’s veterans.
