In-form Sporting Charleroi of Belgium atacker, Victor Osimhen and Villarreal of Spain rising star, Samuel Chuwueze have gained invitations to the Super Eagles for next month’s Africa Cup of Nations qualifier away to South Africa, while five home-based players also make the list.
Chile 2015 FIFA U17 World Cup winner and top scorer, Osimhen returns after a long time out, with his pal from the same glorious Golden Eaglets’ squad, Chukwueze getting a first senior call-up, while FC Ifeanyiubah of Nnewi defender, Adeleye Olamilekan Aniyikaye and Enyimba FC of Aba goalkeeper, Ikechukwu Ezenwa both make the main squad.
However, sports247.ng can report that, while Osimhen and Chukwueze are named in the main roster, Nyima Nwagua of Kano Pillars, Sunday Adetunji of Enyimba and Junior Lokosa also of Pillars are on stand-by.
Despite some fresh names in the squad and four home-based players also listed, Eagles coach, Gernot Rohr has kept faith with the core that sunk Libya’s Mediterranean Knights over two legs earlier this month.
Al-Nassr of Saudi Arabia striker, Ahmed Musa will once again captain the Eagles, after he was named along with 22 other players for next month’s 2019 AFCON qualifying match in Johannesburg, but regular captain, John Mikel Obi and assistant, Eddy Ogenyi Onazi are both not listed.
A statement by the communications department of Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) on Monday further disclosed that the same group of invitees will prosecute a friendly Uganda three days later at Stephen Keshi Stadium, Asaba.
Vitoria Setubal of Port midfielder, Mikel Ndubuisi Agu, who played some part in the 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, and Kano Pillars FC defender, Adeleye Olamilekan Aniyikaye are also recalled to the main squad.
Agu, Oghenekaro Etebo and John Ugochukwu Ogu are the only invited midfielders, while Musa, Odion Jude Ighalo, Samuel Kalu and Alex Iwobi are among nine forwards, as Henry Onyekuru and Lokosa join five on the stand-by segment of Monday’s official roster.
Francis Odinaka Uzoho , Daniel Akpeyi and Ezenwa are the only invited goalkeepers; while Olaoluwa Aina, William Troost-Ekong, Leon Aderemi Balogun and Kenneth Omeruo are among eight defenders.
Nigeria top Group E of the series with nine points, and will need victory away to second placed, eight point South Africa at FNB Stadium in the city of Johannesburg on Saturday, 17th November to seal an early ticket to AFCON 2019 in Cameroon.
The Eagles will on 18th November fly from Johannesburg to Asaba for the friendly with the Cranes of Uganda on 20th November.
The full list of invitees, who are expected to report in Asaba on 12th November, has Goalkeepers: Francis Uzoho (Elche, Spain); Ikechukwu Ezenwa (Enyimba); and Daniel Akpeyi (Chippa United, South Africa).
The defenders are: Olaoluwa Aina (Torino, Italy); Adeleye Aniyikaye (FC IfeanyiUbah); Semi Ajayi (Rotherham United, England); Bryan Idowu (Lokomotiv Moscow, Russia); William Troost-Ekong (Udinese, Italy); Leon Balogun (Brighton & Hove Albion, England); Kenneth Omeruo (Leganes, Spain); and Jamilu Collins (SC Padeborn 07, Germany)
Only three midfielders invited for the games are: Oghenekaro Etebo (Stoke City FC, England); John Ogu (Hapoel Be’er Sheva, Israel); and Mikel Ndubuisi Agu (Vitoria Setubal FC, Portugal)
The invited forwards include: Ahmed Musa (Al Nassr, Saudi Arabia); Kelechi Iheanacho (Leicester City, England); Moses Simon (Levante, Spain); Victor Osimhen (Royal Charleroi, Belgium); and Odion Ighalo (Changchun Yatai, China).
The other forwards are Alex Iwobi (Arsenal, England); Samuel Kalu (Bordeaux, France); Isaac Success (Watford, England); and Samuel Chukwueze (Villarreal, Spain).
Those on standby: Henry Onyekuru (Galatasaray, Turkey); Chidozie Awaziem (FC Porto, Portugal); Nyima Nwagua (Kano Pillars); Sunday Adetunji (Enyimba); Junior Lokosa (Kano Pillars).
