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The invitation of Turkey-based versatile winger Ibrahim Olawoyin for the 2026 World Cup qualifying Group C fixtures against South Africa and Benin Republic could be Finidi George’s first masterstroke as head coach of the Super Eagles, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.
This is based on the outstanding qualities of the Rizespor man, who was handed a late call-up as a replacement for Nathan Tella after the Bayer Leverkusen star excused himself from both matches due to family concerns.
Olawoyin, 26, has been a star actor for Rizespor since joining them from Ankara Keçiörengücü in January, netting three times and rendering four assists in 13 starts of 15 matches in the second stanza of the season.
He took his performance a notch higher during the just-concluded Turkey Super Lig season, weighing in with eight goals and six assists in 34 starts of 36 matches to help the club finish ninth in the standings with 50 points.
What this means is that Olawoyin, a reputable presser of the ball, is bringing goals to the Eagles, two attributes the team lacked at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, where Victor Osimhen was mostly left alone upfront.
Chidera Ejuke of Royal Antwerp and Henry Onyekuru, who currently plays for Saudi Pro League club Al-Fayha, are two of the players recently saddled with this role by previous handlers of the team, but both fell short on the few occasions they needed to make a bold statement.
Olawoyin is over the moon following his first call-up at full international level and ready to grab his chance.
“It’s a big privilege for me, which I will cherish for life,” he told NFF TV on his call-up
“It (the invitation) came as a surprise to me and I’m so happy it finally came and I’ve been looking forward to getting the chance and try to prove myself and I will surely give my best.
“The national team is really different because it’s all the best players from different clubs representing the country and that will make you much better.”
Having weathered the storm in the domestic league in the colours of Abia Comets, Abia Warriors and Enugu Rangers means Olawoyin will also provide the flair, resilience and width the attack needs to thrive from the wings.
Olawoyin is a household name in the Turkish Super Lig and enjoys a demigod’s status at Rizespor, where he features alongside compatriots Azubuike Ilechukwu, a midfielder whose second season with the club was blighted by an ankle injury that sidelined him from July 28, 2023 to May 1, 2024 and Babajide Akintola, a striker who netted once in 13 starts.
“It was a fantastic season for me like everyone said,” he added. “We started the season well and I gradually got better and the second half of the season was much better. It was a wonderful performance all around.”
Capped once by Nigeria’s Team B in 2019, Olawoyin moved abroad to join Ankara Keçiörengücü in August 2021 after scoring 10 goals in 43 appearances in all competitions for Rangers and featuring in the CAF Confederation Cup.
He made his debut in his side’s 2-0 win over Adanaspor and scored a brace in his seventh appearance, a 3-2 win over visiting Istanbulspor.
