Nigeria has invited 23 players, including Omatsone Aluko, Nosa Igiebor and Chinedu Obasi, for next month’s 2015 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying matches against the Red Devils of Congo and South Africa’s Bafana Bafana.
The list released by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) on Tuesday also included defenders Kenneth Omeruo and Efe Ambrose, midfielders Ogenyi Onazi and John Mike Obi and forwards Ahmed Musa and Emmanuel Emenike.
France–based Elderson Echiejile, who missed the 2014 FIFA World Cup as a result of injury, Nosa Igiebor who missed the final cut for Brazil and Chinedu Obasi who was not considered for the tournament, are all back for September’s double-header.
Onazi, who suffered a terrible injury during the round of 16 loss to France, is now fully recovered, but Michael Babatunde, who was stretchered out against Argentina after a hand injury, is left out.
Home-based quartet of Chigozie Agbim, Azubuike Egwuekwe, Kunle Odunlami and Gbolahan Salami who were part of Nigeria’s third place finish at the African Nations Championship (CHAN) in Cape Town earlier in the year also have opportunities to return to Cape of Good Hope and shine. They are joined by Enugu Rangers’ marksman Christian Osaghona as the lot from the domestic League.
Nigeria faces Congo’s Red Devils – restored to the race after conqueror Rwanda was found guilty of using an ineligible player – in Calabar on September 6, before flying to Cape Town to take on the Bafana Bafana on September 10.
The full list:
Goalkeepers: Vincent Enyeama (Lille OSC, France); Austin Ejide (Hapoel Be’er Sheva, Israel); Chigozie Agbim (Gombe United, Nigeria).
Defenders: Elderson Echiejile (Monaco FC, France); Juwon Oshaniwa (Ashdod FC, Israel); Efe Ambrose (Celtic FC, Scotland); Godfrey Oboabona (Rizespor FC, Turkey); Azubuike Egwuekwe (Warri Wolves, Nigeria); Kenneth Omeruo (Middlesbrough FC, England); Kunle Odunlami (Sunshine Stars, Nigeria).
Midfielders: John Mikel Obi (Chelsea FC, England); Ogenyi Onazi (SS Lazio, Italy); Ramon Azeez (Almeria FC, Spain); Joel Obi (Inter Milan, Italy); Nosa Igiebor (Real Betis, Spain); Omatsone Aluko (Hull City,England)
Forwards: Ahmed Musa (CSKA Moscow, Russia); Emmanuel Emenike (Fenerbahce FC, Turkey); Chinedu Obasi (Schalke 04, Germany); Uche Nwofor (Heerenveen FC, Netherlands); Nnamdi Oduamadi (AS Varese 1910, Italy); Gbolahan Salami (Warri Wolves); Christian Osaghona (Enugu Rangers)
