Forget the defence Jose Peseiro should be worried about his midfielders

The Super Eagles return to action later this month when they take on Guinea-Bissau in a doubleheader Africa Cup of 2023 qualifying clash. 

However, preparations have not gone smoothly for Super Eagles coach Jose Peseiro, who is almost one year into his tenure as Nigeria’s boss. 

Peseiro is likely to be without his vice-captain William Troost-Ekong and Ekong’s defensive partner Leon Balogun for the two games. 

Meanwhile, Chidozie Awaziem is also struggling with fitness while Kenneth Omeruo has not played much for Leganes this year. 

All these defensive issues are not ideal for Peseiro, who is still yet to convince Nigerians he is the man to restore Nigeria’s past glory. 

But while Peseiro will need to find a solution to Nigeria’s defensive issues, it is the current state of the team’s midfield that should be the utmost priority for the Portuguese tactician. 

The problem in Nigeria’s midfield is just as big as the issue with the defence, considering the current form of the team’s midfielders. 

The last time the Super Eagles played, Peseiro selected a midfield trio of Alex Iwobi, Wilfred Ndidi and Joe Aribo. 

It was the midfield partnership that Nigerians had been familiar with for the last 12 months. 

However, the form of the three players is a major concern going into the clash against Guinea-Bissau. 

Ndidi has been one of Nigeria’s best players in the world, but in the last 12 months, his level has dropped drastically, no thanks to injuries. 

In the last 12 months, he has only played once for the Super Eagles, which coincidentally was the 4-0 defeat against Portugal in November last year. 

Before then the 25-year-old’s last game for Nigeria was the round of 16 AFCON 2021 clash against Tunisia in January. 

Ndidi missed Nigeria’s big games against Ghana in March and the AFCON qualifiers against Sierra Leone and Sao Tome and Principe due to injuries. 

He also missed all of Nigeria’s friendly matches last year aside from the clash against Portugal in November. 

The former Genk man has not played much for Leicester City this season, either, with just 995 minutes of Premier League action in 17 games. 

Between now and the end of last season, Ndidi has missed 18 league games for Leicester City due to three different injuries. 

He is now at a point in his career where he is unable to play a long run of games without picking up an injury. 

This should give Peseiro concern, considering he is the only top defensive midfielder the Super Eagles currently have. 

While Brentford’s Frank Onyeka can come in to replace him, the Brentford mand has not been lucky with injuries either. 

Onyeka has played just 12 league games for The Bees this season, but he only played 434 minutes in these games. 

The ex-Midtjylland’s man Brentford's adventure has not gone according to plan and has not even been convincing in his few appearances for Nigeria. 

Meanwhile, Peseiro will also be likely worried about the form of Joe Aribo. Since making his debut for Nigeria in 2019, Aribo has been a regular in Nigeria’s squad. 

However, ahead of the clash against Guinea-Bissau, his club form is a major concern. Having spent three successful years at Rangers, Aribo joined Southampton with a whole lot of expectations. 

But he has struggled so far after a bright start. The ex-Charlton man has fallen in the pecking order at St Mary’s in recent weeks. 

Aribo has missed Southampton’s last three league games and has not played 90 minutes of football in the Premier League since October. 

It means Peseiro will have to rely on a player struggling for minutes at his club for the games against Guinea-Bissau. 

The situation is not ideal because Aribo’s role is a position where the Super Eagles do not have too many options

The number 10 position has been an ongoing problem for Nigeria and the situation just got worse with Aribo’s lack of game time at Southampton. 

Although Alex Iwobi can also play the role, Iwobi has not really had a decent game for Nigeria in years. 

Iwobi has fared better than his fellow Nigerian midfielders, with seven assists and one goal in 26 Premier League games for Everton this season. 

But that has not transformed into success for Everton, who are currently struggling in the relegation zone. 

With the season entering its final stretch, the psychological toll of Everton’s relegation battle could affect Iwobi’s performance for Nigeria, which is something not ideal for Peseiro. 

The Portuguese tactician will definitely be worried about Iwobi’s state for the two games, given Everton’s situation in the Premier League.