Luton star earns maiden Super Eagles call, leads 26-man squad for Ghana, Mali ties

Luton Town defender Gabriel Osho has been handed his first call-up to the Nigeria squad for this month's international friendlies against Ghana and Mali in Morocco.

Pulse Sports Nigeria reports that the 25-year-old takes his place in the Eagles squad alongside Tanzania-based Benjamin Tianimu, who also gets a first opportunity with the Super Eagles.

Osho and Tianimu are the new faces in a squad that retains the bulk of the players who finished as runners-up at the Africa Cup of Nations in February.

England-based duo Jamilu Collins and Cyriel Dessers have been recalled, along with Empoli's Tyronne Ebuehi, while Wilfred Ndidi returns from injury to bolster the midfield options.

Bayer Leverkusen's Nathan Tella and Turkey-based Fisayo Dele-Bashiru also get chances to stake claims for regular places under Peseiro.

Osho has been outstanding for Luton this season as they push for promotion to the Premier League, making 34 appearances in all competitions from defence.

The powerful defender came through the ranks at Reading before joining the Hatters in 2021 and will now get a chance to impress for his country of birth.

For Tianimu, it caps a remarkable rise having swapped Tanzania for Slovakia in 2020 to pursue his professional career, before joining Yanga SC back last year.

The friendlies in Morocco give Nigeria a chance to continue rebuilding towards a sustained period of success following their agonising AFCON final defeat to Ivory Coast.

They face off against old foes Ghana in Marrakech on March 22, looking to gain revenge for their 2022 World Cup qualifying heartbreak at the hands of the Black Stars.

Four days later, Nigeria will face another familiar AFCON opponent in Mali, with the two nations sharing the 'Eagles' nickname.

These two prestige friendlies allow the Super Eagles to integrate new faces like Osho and blood in the next generation ahead of an important stint of 2025 AFCON qualifiers in June.

Goalkeepers: Stanley Nwabali (Chippa United, South Africa); Francis Uzoho (AC Omonia, Cyprus); Ojo Olorunleke (Enyimba FC)

Defenders: Gabriel Osho (Luton FC, England); Chidozie Awaziem (Boavista FC, Portugal); Bright Osayi-Samuel (Fenerbahce FC, Turkey); Tyronne Ebuehi (Empoli FC, Italy); Bruno Onyemaechi (Boavista FC, Portugal); Kenneth Omeruo (Kasimpasa FC, Turkey); Oluwasemilogo Ajayi (West Bromwich Albion, England); Calvin Bassey (Fulham FC, England); Jamilu Collins (Cardiff City, Wales); Benjamin Tianimu (Ihefu SC, Tanzania)

Midfielders: Wilfred Ndidi (Leicester City, England); Raphael Onyedika (Club Brugge, Belgium); Alhassan Yusuf (Royal Antwerp FC, Belgium); Frank Onyeka (Brentford FC, England); Alex Iwobi (Fulham FC, England)

Forwards: Nathan Tella (Bayer Leverkusen, Germany); Victor Osimhen (SSC Napoli, Italy); Kelechi Iheanacho (Leicester City, England); Sadiq Umar (Real Sociedad, Spain); Moses Simon (FC Nantes, France); Ademola Lookman (Atalanta FC, Italy); Fisayo Dele-Bashiru (Hatayspor, Turkey); Taiwo Awoniyi (Nottingham Forest, England); Cyriel Dessers (Glasgow Rangers, Scotland)