29th October, 2018
Super Eagles’ Technical Adviser Gernot Rohr has called up stand-in team captain Ahmed Musa and 22 other players for preparations ahead of the senior national male football team’s two upcoming matches.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the team have ahead of them next month’s crucial 2019 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match against South Africa’s Bafana Bafana in Johannesburg.
They also have a friendly encounter against the Cranes of Uganda at the Stephen Keshi Stadium in Asaba three days later.
Former FIFA Under-17 World Cup-winning forward Victor Osimhen returns after a long time out, with another Under-17 World Cup-winning forward Samuel Chukwueze earning a first call-up.
Midfielder Mikel Agu, who played some part in the 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, and home-based defender Adeleye Aniyikaye are also called up.
But mostly, Rohr has kept faith with the group which beat Libya’s Mediterranean Knights over two legs earlier this month.
Midfielder Wilfred Ndidi, who is ineligible for the match after bagging yellow cards in the away matches against Seychelles and Libya, has been left out.
Francis Uzoho and Ikechukwu Ezenwa are among three goalkeepers invited to camp, while Olaoluwa Aina, William Ekong, Leone Balogun and Kenneth Omeruo are included among eight defenders.
Also, Oghenekaro Etebo and John Ogu are listed among three midfielders, while Ahmed Musa, Odion Ighalo, Samuel Kalu and Alex Iwobi are among nine forwards.
However, Henry Onyekuru and Junior Lokosa are listed among five players on stand-by.
Nigeria lead Group E of the qualification series with nine points.
They will face second-placed South Africa at the FNB Stadium in Johannesburg on Nov. 17 in one of the Match Day 5 fixtures.
Victory in the match will automatically send the Eagles to the 2019 AFCON finals in Cameroon.
The second ticket in Group E to be down to a battle between the Bafana and the Knights.
Ademola Olajire, Director of Communications, Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), said the Super Eagles would fly from Johannesburg to Asaba on Nov. 18 for the friendly with the Cranes on Nov. 20.
All the invited players are expected to report direct in Asaba on Nov. 12.
THE FULL LIST
Goalkeepers: Francis Uzoho (Elche FC, Spain); Ikechukwu Ezenwa (Enyimba FC); Daniel Akpeyi (Chippa United, South Africa)
Defenders: Olaoluwa Aina (Torino FC, Italy); Adeleye Aniyikaye (FC IfeanyiUbah); Semi Ajayi (Rotherham United, England); Bryan Idowu (Lokomotiv Moscow, Russia)
William Ekong (Udinese FC, Italy); Leon Balogun (Brighton & Hove Albion, England); Kenneth Omeruo (CD Leganes, Spain); Jamilu Collins (SC Padeborn 07, Germany)
Midfielders: Oghenekaro Etebo (Stoke City FC, England); John Ogu (Hapoel Be’er Sheva, Israel); Mikel Agu (Vitoria Setubal FC, Portugal)
Forwards: Ahmed Musa (Al Nasr FC, Saudi Arabia); Kelechi Iheanacho (Leicester City, England); Moses Simon (Levante FC, Spain); Victor Osimhen (Royal Charleroi SC, Belgium)
Odion Ighalo (Changchun Yatai, China); Alex Iwobi (Arsenal FC, England); Samuel Kalu (Bordeaux FC, France); Isaac Success (Watford FC, England); Samuel Chukwueze (Villarreal FC, Spain)
Standby: Henry Onyekuru (Galatasaray SK, Turkey); Chidozie Awaziem (FC Porto, Portugal); Nyima Nwagua (Kano Pillars FC); Sunday Adetunji (Enyimba FC); Junior Lokosa (Kano Pillars FC