England-based youngsters Alex Iwobi and Kelechi Iheanacho as well as Watford star Odion Ighalo have been the standout performers at the Super Eagles training in France ahead of the friendly against Mali.
Captain designate Ogenyi Onazi and Brown Ideye have also caught the eye as competition for starting shirts in the team have intensified.
“Ighalo, Ideye, Onazi, Kelechi and Iwobi have shone in training,” revealed a source who has watched all the team’s training since they arrived in France on Wednesday.
Ideye, for one, is staking another claim for a place in the Eagles after he was frozen out after the 2013 AFCON in South Africa, where Nigeria won a third continental title.
He was the hustling strike partner as Emmanuel Emenike emerged as goal king, but the fans will go on to criticise him for not being clinical in front of goal.
The former Sochaux striker struggled to establish himself at English Premier League side West Bromwich Albion, but he has since relaunch himself at Greek champions Olympiacos.