Abiodun Baruwa has advised Nigeria coach Sunday Oliseh to follow his heart as he faces selection dilemma following the discovery of new players for the national team.

Oliseh dropped South Africa 2013 Africa Cup of Nations winners Mikel Obi (Chelsea), Elderson Echiejile (Monaco) and Godfrey Oboabona (Caykur Rizespor) to the bench in the 2-0 defeat of Swaziland in their Russia 2018 World Cup qualifier on November 17. He started domestic league players Chima Akas (Sharks), Austin Oboroakpo (Abia Warriors) and Paul Onobi (Sunshine Stars), while Ezekiel Bassey (Enyimba) replaced Moses Simon in the second half.

Oliseh appears to be building his attack around Russia-based Sylvester Igbonu and Watford scoring sensation Odion Ighalo after   United Arab Emirates-based Emmanuel Emenike called it quits with the Super Eagles in October.

And former Nigeria goalkeeper Baruwa, who has expressed his satisfaction with Nigeria’s showing since Oliseh took over from Stephen Keshi, said the Eagles manager should give more good young players a chance to force themselves into the team.

However, the former Shooting Stars custodian says Oliseh should not   succumb to any pressure put on him to invite or play certain players in subsequent matches.

The United Kingdom-based football agent urged his ex-Eagles’ teammate to pick his players based on current form and fitness.

The former Switzerland-based keeper said Oliseh should be allowed to decide if domestic league players should play prominent roles in the team or not.

“He (Oliseh) should decide. He should go with whatever works for him,” Baruwa, who was in the France ’98 World Cup squad, told our correspondent online.

Meanwhile, former Nigeria midfielder Etim Esin has showered praise on Belgium-based attacker Simon for his goal against Swaziland.

Simon put the Eagles in front after 52 minutes with a stunning free-kick at the   Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium. And Scotland-based defender Efe Ambrose hit home three minutes from time to put the game beyond the reach of their stubborn visitors.

Former Belgium-based Etim said Simon deserved commendation for the “brilliant free-kick” and helping Nigeria reach the group stages of the Russia 2018 World Cup qualifiers.

“Simon scored a brilliant free-kick for the Eagles and he impressed me in the match,” the former Iwuanyanwu Nationale star said.

[Punch News]