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Sodiq Ismail was ignored by Super Eagles manager Jose Peseiro despite establishing himself as the best creative hub in the NPFL at Remo Stars.
Super Eagles’ manager, Jose Peseiro’s omission of Remo Stars’ wing-back, Sodiq Ismail, and other NPFL players from Nigeria’s 40-man provisional squad for the AFCON2023 has raised deserved eyebrows.
But the most perplexing is the exclusion of Ismail despite an outstanding performance and consistency.
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Ismail’s Impact at Remo Stars
The talented fullback cum wing-back has played a pivotal role in Remo Stars’ rise to the top of the NPFL table this season. Ismail’s impressive form as a creative hub, with 10 assists, has been instrumental in the team’s success.
Quite notably, Super Eagles forward, Sikiru Alimi, has benefited significantly from Sodiq’s creative juice, with over 45% of his 11 goals assisted by the wing wizard.
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Sodiq’s remarkable attacking prowess from the defense has not only become a recognisable feature in the NPFL, but a crucial factor behind Remo’s stunning form this season.
A case for Ismail’s Super Eagles Inclusion
Peseiro’s decision to leave this rising star from the provisional squad is not just bizarre considering his stellar form and versatility but hurts this write the most, especially after watching him deliver his latest assist for Alimi in the Football League.
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Heading into the AFCON2023 tournament, Nigeria faces the challenge of an uninspiring and weak right wing that requires more creativity and bite.
“In Nigeria, they have great strikers and maybe they could use good wingers,” Bayer Leverkusen manager, Xabi Alonso, said of right winger, Nathan Tella, following his maiden invitation to the national team.
Ismail, though not a winger like Tella, with his well-rounded skill set, is capable of fulfilling this role effectively. His track record of consistency, durability, and minimal history of injuries or suspensions further underscores his reliability as a key player.
While familiar faces like Ola Aina, Bright Osayi-Samuel, and Tyronne Ebuehi have received expected invitations, Ismail’s exclusion is utterly unjust when you consider some of the problems he can solve for the team.
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His proficiency in both defensive and offensive contributions makes him a valuable asset, especially when you factor in the team’s need for skilled wingers who can provide the necessary ammunition for star forwards Victor Osimhen and Victor Boniface.
Omitting a player of Sodiq Ismail’s calibre, with his potential to be invaluable in Ivory Coast, is not only a significant oversight by everyone involved but also an irresponsible decision.
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As the Super Eagles aim to end the 10-year AFCON title drought, which was last won in 2013, with Sunday Mba, Gabriel Reuben and Godfrey Oboabona from the NPFL making appreciable impacts, Ismail’s inclusion could have armed Peseiro with the necessary creativity and bite on that right needed to achieve NFF’s famous AFCON2023 goal “Let’s Do It Again”.
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