Super Eagles head coach Eric Scheller has confirmed that two of Nigeria's most prominent attackers, Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lukman, will not be part of the squad for the upcoming international friendlies against Poland and Portugal. Speaking to the media as reported by Channels Television, Scheller explained that the decisions were made for different reasons relating to each player's club situation.
Regarding Osimhen, the coach stated that the striker had been left out to focus on resolving his club future, with a potential transfer on the horizon. Scheller emphasised that he preferred the player to stay focused on his personal situation rather than risk playing at less than full capacity. If you play and you are not at 100 percent, this is not good, the coach explained, making clear that the decision was taken in the best interest of both the player and the national team.
Lukman's absence, meanwhile, was attributed to a request from his club Atletico Madrid. Scheller confirmed that the Spanish club had asked for the forward to be excused from international duty due to fatigue after a demanding season. The coach indicated he had agreed to the request, acknowledging the physical toll of a long club campaign on the player.
The squad is also dealing with logistical challenges, as several players have encountered visa complications ahead of the European fixtures. Scheller specifically mentioned Tijani and Youssouf among those affected by the paperwork issues. Despite these setbacks, the coach confirmed that the squad would travel with approximately 80 players for the two matches.
Nigeria is scheduled to face Poland on Wednesday June 3 before taking on Portugal on June 10. These friendlies represent important preparation opportunities for the Super Eagles as they continue to build towards future competitive fixtures. The absence of key players like Osimhen and Lukman will provide an opportunity for other attackers in the squad to stake their claim for regular starting positions under Scheller's stewardship.