Five players to watch in Nigeria’s friendlies vs Iran and Jordan

Super Eagles of Nigeria. Copyright: ImagoxAkpan Nsidibe

The Super Eagles of Nigeria will be participating in a four-nation friendly tournament later this month alongside Jordan, and Iran, Soccernet.ng reports.

After FIFA dislodged Nigeria’s appeal over DR Congo’s fielding of ineligible players in the World Cup play-offs last December, the Green and Whites’ hopes of playing in the Mundial were finally dashed.

As such, a competition to present and integrate new faces and tactical ideas into the team isn’t too shabby, considering the Super Eagles haven’t played since the AFCON 2025 third-place game against Egypt.

Ahead of the competition in Turkiye, Soccernet.ng takes a look at five players worth watching in the upcoming friendly games.

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1. Mehdi Taremi – Iran

While he’s no longer the pacy striker he was once known to be, the 33-year-old is still in the business of scoring goals.

The former Inter Milan striker has scored 16 goals and produced four assists in 34 games for Olympiacos this season, and will be one to not just watch, but plan against in the upcoming four-nation tournament.

2. Alireza Jahanbakhsh – Iran

Once on the books of Brighton & Hove Albion and Feyenoord, Jahanbaksh is teammates with Nigeria’s Benjamin Frederick at FCV Dender EH.

Like Taremi, age has given the 32-year-old some experience, and while he may no longer be as pacy, he’s still a threat on the flanks.

3. Ademola Lookman – Nigeria

Lookman is arguably Nigeria’s most-influential and most in-form player, considering Victor Osimhen’s absence from the squad after he suffered a forearm fracture against Liverpool.

Since moving from Atalanta to Atletico Madrid in the winter transfer window, the 2024 CAF Player of the Year has been on target against the big guns in La Liga and in Europe.

Lookman has scored against Barcelona, Real Madrid and produced brilliant moments in the UEFA Champions League against Tottenham Hotspur and Club Brugge.

For Nigeria’s opponents in Turkiye, Lookman will be the man to stop as he’s incredibly useful in tight spaces and could make a difference in split-seconds.

4. Emmanuel Fernandez – Nigeria

The Rangers centre-back has been one of the brightest young defenders in Europe this season, scoring six goals from the back for the Gers.

For the 24-year-old, it was a no-brainer decision to represent the Super Eagles despite being born in London.

Should he be given the chance to make his International bout by Eric Chelle, the composure he’s shown at his club side this season could be on display for the World to see.

The Jordanian right winger has scored four goals and provided seven assists for Stade Rennais in the French Ligue 1 this season, a number no Nigerian winger, bar Lookman, has matched.

As such, the 28-year-old is a threat and will be one to watch in the coming days.

Adefolahan Guerreiro

Adefolahan is a multilingual sports journalist and football writer whose work spans outlets like Soccernet Nigeria, Pure Football UK, and Royalsportz.

With a sharp eye for detail and a background in college sports, he tells the African football story with depth, flair, and global perspective.

Fluent in English, Spanish, and German, he brings a cross-cultural voice to his coverage, blending insight with accessibility for readers around the world.
His portfolio includes interviews with top Nigerian stars like Finidi George, Junior Lokosa, Sikiru Alimi, Sodiq Ismaila, and Abraham Onahi Ogbu.

A devoted Borussia Dortmund fan, Adefolahan thrives on the emotion and rhythm of the beautiful game. Away from work, he’s a sci-fi enthusiast and series lover who enjoys exploring how sport, storytelling, and culture collide.