The Nigeria Football Federation on Tuesday named a 23-man squad that includes FIFA World Cup stars Vincent Enyeama and Emmanuel Emenike for their 2015 CAF Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Congo and South Africa next month.
Nigeria name 23-man squad for Cup of Nations qualifiers
The Super Eagles welcome Congo on 6 September and four days later travel to play South Africa in Cape Town.
The bulk of the team that played at the World Cup where the Super Eagles reached the second round remains with the exception of Moses who had a widely publicized falling out with the technical crew during the tournament in Brazil.
Former captain Joseph Yobo who announced his retirement at end of the tournament is also no longer involved.
Also dropped are Peter Odemwingie, Shola Ameobi, Reuben Gabriel, Ejike Uzoenyi, Michael Uchebo and Babatunde Michael.
In their place, the Nigeria Football Federation called up Omatsone Aluko (Hull City), Joel Obi (Inter), Nosa Igiebor (Macabi Tel Aviv), Nnamdi Oduamadi (Varese), Gbolahan Salami (Warri Wolves) and Christian Osaguona (Enugu Rangers).
No place was found for striker Brown Ideye who recently made a club record transfer to West Bromwich Albion.
The list released by the Nigeria Football Federation 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, the midfield powerhouse who suffered a terrible injury in the Round of 16 defeat by France, is now fully recovered, but Babatunde, who was stretchered out against Argentina after a hand injury, is left out.
Home –based quartet Chigozie Agbim, Azubuike Egwuekwe, Kunle Odunlami and Gbolahan Salami who were part of Nigeria’s third place finish at the African Nations Championship in Cape Town earlier in the year, also have opportunity to return to Cape of Good Hope and shine. They are joined by Enugu Rangers’ marksman Christian Osaguona as the lot from the domestic League.
Nigeria play Congo’s Red Devils - restored to the race after conquerors Rwanda were found guilty of using an ineligible player – in Calabar on September 6, before flying to Cape Town to take on Bafana Bafana on September 10.
However, with contract talks still ongoing with coach Stephen Keshi, the Super Eagles might be managed by a caretaker trainer when they play against the Red Devils and Bafana Bafana.
Below is the squad invited:
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)
Ahmed Musa (CSKA Moscow, Russia)
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 Osaguona (Enugu Rangers)
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