Former Rangers man Ibrahim Olawoyin finally gets his Super Eagles chance after Finidi George called him to replace Bayer Leverkusen star.
In a late change to the Nigeria Super Eagles squad ahead of the upcoming World Cup qualifiers, coach Finidi George has called up Ibrahim Olawoyin to replace the withdrawing Nathan Tella.
Bayer Leverkusen midfielder Tella has excused himself from the national team camp due to family reasons, paving the way for Olawoyin's inclusion per the NFF.
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Olawoyin replaces Tella in Super Eagles
The Caykur Rizespor midfielder has earned his spot in the squad on the back of an impressive season in the Turkish Super Lig, where his performances were a standout for the newly-promoted club.
Olawoyin, who dazzled for NPFL leaders Rangers International earlier in his career, featured primarily in central midfield for Rizespor, leading them to a credible 9th-place finish in the league.
The 26-year-old was arguably Nigeria's standout player in the Turkish top flight, finishing the campaign with an impressive tally of eight goals and three assists in 34 starts.
His consistently strong displays have now been rewarded with a call-up to the national team setup, having been overlooked for a while, as coach Finidi George looks to bolster his midfield options ahead of the crucial World Cup qualifiers.
The Super Eagles will be counting on Olawoyin's experience and goalscoring ability to help them navigate a tricky qualifying campaign and secure their place in the 2026 World Cup after missing out on the 2022 edition in Qatar.
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