Form vs Selection: Key Omissions in Nigeria’s March 2026 Squad

.Nigeria’s March 2026 squad for the international friendlies has sparked debate—not for who made the list, but for who didn’t.

A deeper, data-driven analysis of player performances across Europe reveals several selection inconsistencies, raising questions about whether the squad reflects current form or managerial preference.

🧤 Goalkeepers: The Okonkwo Question

The goalkeeping department highlights one of the most significant selection debates.

• Maduka Okoye
  Average Rating: 6.93
  Featured in 12 of Udinese’s last 13 matches
  ✔️ Strong top-league consistency
• Adebayo Adeleye
  Average Rating: 7.18
  ✔️ Impressive rating, but based on a limited sample size
  ❗ Recently moved to Cyprus (lower league strength)
• Francis Uzoho
  Average Rating: 6.97
  ❗ Recently spent time on the bench before returning

❌ Notable Omission: Arthur Okonkwo

• Ever-present starter for Wrexham
• Competing in the EFL Championship (Top 8 league globally)
• Strong availability and consistency

🔎 Deduction Insight

Okonkwo’s exclusion represents a clear contradiction:

High availability + strong league level + consistent form = overlooked

🛡️ Defence: Experience vs Performance

❌ Ola Aina – A Surprising Absence

• Ola Aina
  Average Rating: 6.78
  Last 3 matches: 7.0, 7.3, 7.3
  ✔️ Competing in the Premier League (World’s #1 league)

Compared to:

• Bright Osayi-Samuel
  Average Rating: 6.64
  ❗ Has not started recent matches

👉 The omission highlights a performance vs selection mismatch

❌ Chima Okoroji – Consistency Ignored

• Chima Okoroji
  Average Rating: 6.92
  ✔️ Ever-present for St. Gallen
  ✔️ Outstanding 9.1 rating vs Basel

Despite:

• Consistency
• Tactical reliability
• High-impact performance

👉 Not included in the squad

❌ Chibuike Nwaiwu – Strong Transition Form

• Chibuike Nwaiwu
  Average Rating: 7.13
  ✔️ Performing in Turkey’s Super Lig (Top 20 league)
  ✔️ £4.8m transfer signals market confidence

👉 Overlooked despite upward trajectory

⚠️ Inclusion Under Scrutiny

• Igoh Ogbu
  ❗ Limited recent game time
  ❗ Playing in lower-ranked league

👉 Selection does not align with performance or league strength indicators

🎯 Midfield: The Olawoyin Case

📊 Comparative Analysis

• Ibrahim Olawoyin
  Average Rating: 7.03
  ✔️ Playing in Turkey’s Super Lig
  ✔️ Versatile (CM, AM, wide roles)
  ✔️ Consistent performances

Compared to:

• Fisayo Dele-Bashiru
  ✔️ Included
  ❗ Less consistent output (relative)

🔎 Deduction Insight

Olawoyin offers a rare blend of form + versatility + tactical flexibility

👉 Strong case for inclusion or rotation priority

📊 Deduction Summary

🚨 Major Omissions

• Arthur Okonkwo
• Ola Aina
• Chima Okoroji
• Chibuike Nwaiwu

⚖️ Questionable Selection Decisions

• Adebayo Adeleye (limited sample size)
• Bright Osayi-Samuel (reduced minutes)
• Igoh Ogbu (low involvement)

🧠 Final Verdict

This squad does not appear to be fully optimised for current performance.

Instead, it reflects:

• Managerial trust and familiarity
• System-based selection
• Experimental squad building

🔥 Deduction Take

“Nigeria’s March squad highlights a growing tension between data-driven form and selection preference—with several in-form players left on the outside.”

📢 Suggested Social Caption

Form vs Favouritism?
Okonkwo, Aina, Okoroji & Nwaiwu headline a list of players overlooked despite strong performances across Europe 🇳🇬📊