Osimhen Hits Hat-Trick as Super Eagles Prepare
Osimhen Bags Hat-Trick for Galatasaray as Super Eagles Gear Up for World Cup Qualifiers.
Osimhen’s Hat-Trick Sends Strong Message Ahead of World Cup Qualifiers
Super Eagles players have been sharing nostalgic national team pictures on social media as they prepare for their crucial FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Rwanda and Zimbabwe. With Nigeria’s qualification hopes on the line, these posts highlight the players’ commitment to national duty and their readiness to don the green and white once again.
While the off-field camaraderie is evident, striker Victor Osimhen’s hat-trick for Galatasaray in their 4-0 win over Antalyaspor in the Turkish Super Lig on Saturday sent a strong warning to Nigeria’s upcoming opponents. His impressive display reinforces his importance to the Super Eagles World Cup qualifiers campaign as they look to climb from fifth place in Group C.
Super Eagles Players Reflect on National Duty
Off the pitch, several key players, including William Troost-Ekong, Alex Iwobi, Calvin Bassey, and Ola Aina, have been posting images that reflect their journey with the national team.
William Troost-Ekong, now with Al-Kholood FC, shared throwback photos of Nigeria’s 2016 Olympic bronze medal win alongside Mikel Obi, as well as a picture of himself in traditional white attire with Calvin Bassey.
Alex Iwobi, currently at Fulham, posted an image with Victor Osimhen captioned “My Brother!”, along with solo shots in the national colors.
Calvin Bassey shared an early-career image, possibly reflecting on his growth with the team.
Ola Aina reposted a picture originally shared by Bassey from their time at Godswill Akpabio Stadium, the venue for the home fixture against Zimbabwe.
These posts indicate that the players are mentally shifting focus from club football to their national team commitments, with the squad set to begin camping on Sunday, March 17.
Nigeria’s Must-Win Fixtures: Rwanda and Zimbabwe Await
The Super Eagles World Cup qualifiers campaign resumes with two crucial matches:
Rwanda vs Nigeria – Friday, March 21, 2025 (Kigali)
Nigeria vs Zimbabwe – Tuesday, March 25, 2025 (Godswill Akpabio Stadium, Uyo)
Sitting fifth in Group C with just three points from four matches, Nigeria needs back-to-back wins to revive their chances of making it to the 2026 FIFA World Cup, co-hosted by the USA, Mexico, and Canada.
Super Eagles Squad: Key Inclusions and Exclusions
Head coach Éric Chelle has named a 23-man squad for these qualifiers, featuring top names like:
✔️ Stanley Nwabali
✔️ William Troost-Ekong
✔️ Calvin Bassey
✔️ Ola Aina
✔️ Alex Iwobi
✔️ Wilfred Ndidi
✔️ Ademola Lookman
✔️ Victor Osimhen
However, the squad also saw notable omissions, including:
❌ Kelechi Iheanacho
❌ Maduka Okoye
❌ Zaidu Sanusi
❌ Frank Onyeka
❌ Chidera Ejuke
❌ Ahmed Musa
Additionally, Cyriel Dessers and Christantus Uche, who made the provisional squad, were left out of the final list.
Bayer Leverkusen forward Nathan Tella was also withdrawn due to injury, with Gent defender Jordan Torunarigha called up as his replacement. Tella’s absence marks the second time he has been ruled out after earning a national team call-up.
Super Eagles Ready to Fight for World Cup Return
The players’ social media activity and on-field performances, including Victor Osimhen’s hat-trick, demonstrate their determination to return Nigeria to the World Cup stage after missing the 2022 edition in Qatar. With two must-win matches ahead, the Super Eagles will need to be at their best to revive their qualification hopes.
Stay tuned for more updates as Nigeria prepares for these crucial encounters!
Comments are closed.