Nigeria manager Gernot Rohr has explained why Lugano summer signing Sebastian Osigwe wasn't called up for the two friendlies against Algeria and Tunisia this month despite the absence of his three regular goalkeepers Francis Uzoho, Daniel Akpeyi and Ikechukwu Ezenwa.
A member of the Flying Eagles squad to the 2013 Toulon Tournament, Osigwe is the only Nigeria-eligible goalkeeper who is first choice at a top 20 European Leagues club, having gone the distance in all the four matches contested by Lugano in the new season.
Several Super Eagles fans wanted to see Osigwe in the latest squad as he's more matured and experienced than the goalkeepers in camp at the moment.
Rohr claimed that he finalized his list of invitees for the friendly matches before the former Nigeria U20 international, who played in the second-tier last season, kicked a ball for Lugano.
"We are following him, he was playing in second division before, SC Kriens and perhaps you know we had to do the list five weeks ago when they were not playing in Switzerland," Rohr explained.
"Five weeks ago, we did the list based on what they were doing in the season before, so he played well in the second division now he's playing in Switzerland first division, and his chances will be bigger to be called.
"I also do my list with my goalkeeper coach, especially in this position, we wanted the opportunity to see Lawal who is coming not faraway from here.
"Alampasu played European competition, like you know he's a former Nigeria U20 goalkeeper so he deserves also to come back.
"Maduka played well against Brazil and made a good transfer to Sparta Rotterdam so it was natural to call him again.
"Yakubu is playing all the games like Sebastian in Slovakia, it's this one for this time, perhaps it'll be the other one for the next time".
"I also do my list with my goalkeeper coach, especially in this position, we wanted the opportunity to see Lawal who is coming not faraway from here.
"Alampasu played European competition, like you know he's a former Nigeria U20 goalkeeper so he deserves also to come back.
"Maduka played well against Brazil and made a good transfer to Sparta Rotterdam so it was natural to call him again.
"Yakubu is playing all the games like Sebastian in Slovakia, it's this one for this time, perhaps it'll be the other one for the next time".
Born in Lucerne, Switzerland twenty-six years ago, Osigwe qualifies to represent Nigeria through his father, while his mother is from Switzerland.
Igho Kingsley
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