Hatters defender earns a first call-up to Nigeria squad for matches with Ghana and Mali

Luton defender Gabe Osho has been called up for the Nigeria squad for their friendly matches against Ghana and Mali later this month.

The 25-year-old was born in Reading and came through the Royals academy as a youngster, eventually moving to Kenilworth Road in November 2020. He had loans with Yeovil and Rochdale, before breaking into the Hatters first team and was a vital part of Town reaching the Premier League last term, scoring against fierce rivals Watford and in the play-off semi-final victory over Sunderland.

This season he has made 18 appearances, 16 of them in the top flight, scoring in both the 4-3 defeat to Arsenal and 4-4 draw with Newcastle, while he played 81 minutes of yesterday’s 1-1 draw against Crystal Palace, coming off injured in the latter stages. Nigeria aren’t without a manager after Jose Peseiro opted to leave his position following last month’s Africa Cup of Nations final defeat against Ivory Coast.

Nigeria will face Ghana on Friday, March 22, at the Grande Stade de Marrakech in Morocco and then take on Mali four days later at the same venue. They are gearing up towards the World Cup qualifiers against South Africa and Benin taking place in June later this year.

Full squad – Goalkeepers: Stanley Nwabali (Chippa United, South Africa); Francis Uzoho (AC Omonia, Cyprus); Ojo Olorunleke (Enyimba FC)

Defenders: Gabriel Osho (Luton FC, England); Chidozie Awaziem (Boavista FC, Portugal); Bright Osayi-Samuel (Fenerbahce FC, Turkey); Tyronne Ebuehi (Empoli FC, Italy); Bruno Onyemaechi (Boavista FC, Portugal); Kenneth Omeruo (Kasimpasa FC, Turkey); Oluwasemilogo Ajayi (West Bromwich Albion, England); Calvin Bassey (Fulham FC, England); Jamilu Collins (Cardiff City, Wales); Benjamin Tianimu (Ihefu SC, Tanzania)

Midfielders: Wilfred Ndidi (Leicester City, England); Raphael Onyedika (Club Brugge, Belgium); Alhassan Yusuf (Royal Antwerp FC, Belgium); Frank Onyeka (Brentford FC, England); Alex Iwobi (Fulham FC, England) Fisayo Dele-Bashiru (Hatayspor, Turkey)

Forwards: Nathan Tella (Bayer Leverkusen, Germany); Victor Osimhen (SSC Napoli, Italy); Kelechi Iheanacho (Leicester City, England); Sadiq Umar (Real Sociedad, Spain); Moses Simon (FC Nantes, France); Ademola Lookman (Atalanta FC, Italy); Taiwo Awoniyi (Nottingham Forest, England); Cyriel Dessers (Glasgow Rangers, Scotland).