2023 AFCON: Do the Super Eagles need the services of former Arsenal midfielder Kelechi Nwakali? 

The 2023 African Cup of Nations continues to draw nearer by the day, with the tournament scheduled to begin on the 14th of January next year.

It is officially thirty-eight days to the biennial tournament and every national team coach has been tasked with an obligation to submit a provisional list of fifty-five  players which will eventually be trimmed down to twenty-seven by the 14th of December.

The Nigerian National football team popularly known as the super eagles is widely regarded as one of the favourites to lift the coveted trophy as they boast one of Africa's finest squads going into the biennial tournament, despite the annoyingly noticeable loopholes in the goalkeeping department.

However, if there's one thing the three time African kings are known for on the continent, it's the fact that they are the country with the most elite attack going into next year's tourney as they continue to paint Europe with goals and more goals. 

On the other hand, the same thing can't be said about the goalkeeping and midfield departments as they might not be as stacked as the attack.

Notably, the midfield of the Super Eagles only consists of holding midfielders, very good tacklers of the ball and midfielders who do better playing behind the main striker (attacking midfield).

For a country with such an array of attacking talents, it is safe to say that most times the striker fail to replicate their scoring form for their various clubs in the national team due to the absence of a pure creative midfielder. 

In fact, Nigeria has lacked a proper creative midfielder since the retirement of Austin 'Jay-Jay' Okocha and  Portuguese tactician Jose Peseiro has tried integrating his nephew Alexander Iwobi into the creative role in some games but it is always evident that Fulham man might not have the ability to perform such a delicate duty.

In the light of this, Kelechi Nwakali is a midfielder that comes to mind when the weaknesses of the current crop midfielders paraded by the Super Eagles are accessed.

The former Arsenal starlet  is no new name to the Nigerian squad as he was part of the 2015 FIFA U-17 World Cup winning team and was a key player at the time. He went on to scoop the Golden Ball for being the best player at the tournament.

Although, in latter years he may have failed to find his feet again, playing for lower league clubs since leaving London giants, Arsenal. His qualities however, is something that cannot be questioned.

The Chaves star, is a midfielder who likes to operate centrally as well as aid progressive play with his sheer ability to deliver diagonal crosses and accurate long balls to the ball hungry wingers waiting for opportunities to take on opposing full-backs.

Aside Nwakali's passing ability is his ability to coordinate the midfield space with short passes like that of a tiki-taka system as well as his strength on the ball.

A decent dribbler with finesse in tight positions, Nwakali's versatility is never in doubt as he can also operate as an attacking midfielder. A dead ball specialist, the 25-year old is also a decent set piece taker.

The qualities possessed by the former Nigeria youth international is certainly something the Super Eagles midfield has lacked in recent times and it won't be a thing of surprise if the lad is included in the final squad for next year's AFCON.

Kelechi Nwakali, has been capped three times by Nigeria with those appearances coming at the last AFCON where he came in as a substitute in all but one of the three group games. 

He has also made fourteen  appearances in all competitions for his club Chaves, registering two assists along the way and the 25-year-old will definitely relish another opportunity to represent his country at next year's biennial tournament, should the coach give him the opportunity.

Ejim Kaycee

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