EMI LOKAN! Why Ayo Obileye MUST be on the next Super Eagles list

Another international break approaches and the Super Eagles are gearing up to take on Algeria in a friendly set for September 27.

But as the nation waits with bated breath to see who Jose Peseiro deems worthy to represent the country in about two weeks' time, there is an expectation for new faces.

Injuries have unfortunately plagued the Super Eagles regulars which means there may be even more new names than usual in Peseiro’s next squad list and one of them should be Ayo Obileye.

The squad for the last Super Eagles game (the 10-0 walloping of Sao Tome) featured three natural centre-backs, Semi Ajayi, Leon Balogun and Kenneth Omeruo.

Ajayi is ruled out with an injury for the next six weeks and Balogun has only played 98 minutes for QPR in the English Championship this season, leaving Omeruo as the only one expected to make a return to the squad.

It is also worth mentioning that captain William Troost-Ekong has only managed 97 minutes of football this season for Watford, putting his usually guaranteed spot in the team at risk.

That realistically leaves at least two central defensive spots open for the next Super Eagles, potentially higher depending on if Peseiro considers Calvin Bassey a centre-back or a full-back.

And while there are no shortage of names to fill those spots, Livingston centre-back Ayo Obileye should be among the prime candidates.

Ayo Obileye is a towering defensive stalwart who play hsi football for Scottish Premiership team, Livingston and has been knocking on the Super Eagles’ door with his performances over the last 18 months.

The 28-year-old has played every single minute of league football for Livingston this season as well as three cup games, making him a key player in a European first division league which is more than you can say for some present Super Eagles defenders.

Obileye has a reputation for being a modern ball-playing defender with an eye for goal as he has already scored and assisted once each in nine total games this season so far.

He has built on an impressive debut season for Livingston last time out in which he played 42 games and scored six goals in 2021/22.

In summary, Ayo Obileye must be in the Super Eagles squad for a combination of two reasons, the usual suspects are either unavailable or not playing and the player in question is also proving to be good enough to at least get a look in.

But what can be expected of him if Jose Peseiro makes the obvious choice to give Obileye his first Super Eagles call-up?

Obileye would fit like a glove alongside Calvin Bassey as ball-playing centre-backs because he is comfortable on the ball even under pressure.

The 6 foot 3 inches tall defender would also be a colossal aerial threat on both ends of the pitch, with his aforementioned goal threat which will prove useful to the Super Eagles.