Emma Jemegah
Substantive Super Eagles captain, John Obi Mikel, Kelechi Iheanacho, Isaac Success, Mikel Agu and Liverpool loanee, Taiwo Awoniyi of Royal Excel Mouscron are the notable players dropped by coach Gernot Rohr for the AFCON qualifier against Seychelles as well as the international friendly against the Pharaohs of Egypt.
Also missing in the list released yesterday is Samuel Chukwueze of Villarreal.
With John Obi Mikel’s newfound form for Middlesbrough, it was expected that Rohr might include him in the two matches but the Franco German has decided otherwise.
Iheanacho has struggled for form with Leicester City while Watford’s Isaac Success has been plagued with injuries of recent.
Nonetheless, stand-in captain Ahmed Musa and 22 others have been handed a call up for this month’s Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against the Pirates of Seychelles and the friendly with Egypt’s Pharaohs taking place in Asaba, Delta State.
The list consists of three goalkeepers, eight defenders, four midfielders and eight strikers are part of the 23-man group.
The duo of FC Midtjylland striker, Paul Onuachu as well as Enyimba’s Valentine Ozornwafor, who starred in last month’s U20 Africa Cup of Nations are first time call ups to the national team.
Anorthosis goalkeeper, Francis Uzoho who has been officially been inactive for more than two months will challenge African-based pair, Ikechukwu Ezenwa and Daniel Akpeyi for the number one spot.
In –form CD Leganes of Spain defender, Kenneth Omeruo is called alongside usual suspects, Leon Balogun, Abdullahi Shehu and William Ekong, as well as midfielders Oghenekaro Etebo and Wilfred Ndidi and forwards Odion Ighalo, Alex Iwobi and Moses Simon.
Rohr has also named Flying Eagles’ defender, Valentine Ozornwafor, as well as well as former U17 World Cup winner, Victor Osimhen and Denmark –based Paul Onuachu.
The three –time African champions confront Seychelles in a largely –ceremonial session at the Stephen Keshi Stadium on Friday March 22, and the Pharaohs of Egypt at the same venue in a prestige international friendly four days later.
The super Eagles camp, according to the NFF will open in Asaba on Monday March 18, 2019.
Super Eagles full list
Goalkeepers: Francis Uzoho (Anorthosis Famagusta, Cyprus); Ikechukwu Ezenwa (Katsina United); Daniel Akpeyi (Kaizer Chiefs, South Africa)
Defenders: Olaoluwa Aina (Torino FC, Italy); Abdullahi Shehu (Bursaspor FC, Turkey); Valentine Ozornwafor (Enyimba FC); Chidozie Awaziem (Caykur Rizespor, Turkey); William Ekong (Udinese FC, Italy); Leon Balogun (Brighton & Hove Albion, England); Kenneth Omeruo (CD Leganes, Spain); Jamilu Collins (SC Padeborn 07, Germany)
Midfielders: Semi Ajayi (Rotherham United, England); Wilfred Ndidi (Leicester City, England); Oghenekaro Etebo (Stoke City FC, England); John Ogu (Hapoel Be’er Sheva, Israel)
Forwards: Ahmed Musa (Al Nassar FC, Saudi Arabia); Victor Osimhen (Charleroi SC, Belgium); Moses Simon (Levante FC, Spain); Henry Onyekuru (Galatasaray SK, Turkey); Odion Ighalo (Shanghai Shenhua, China); Alex Iwobi (Arsenal FC, England); Samuel Kalu (Girondins Bordeaux, France); Paul Onuachu (FC Midtjyland, Denmark).