SUPER Eagles head coach Gernot Rohr has invited 30 players, including six from the Premier League, for September’s Qatar 2022 World Cup qualifiers.
Nigeria will host Liberia in Lagos on Friday, 3 September and face Cape Verde in Mindelo four days later.
England-based Kelechi Iheanacho, Wilfred Ndidi, Oghenekaro Etebo, Frank Onyeka, William Troost-Ekong and Alex Iwobi are included in the squad despite the Premier League clubs’ decision to prevent their players from travelling to Covid-19 high-risk countries, one of which is Cape Verde.
The Nigeria Football Federation explained on Thursday night that the squad was enlarged because of the United Kingdom red list situation, which prohibits players based in Britain to travel to countries on the list like Cape Verde.
The NFF said if the situation remains unchanged, the eight UK-based players, including Scotland-based Joe Aribo and Leon Balogun, in the squad would return to base after the clash with Liberia at the Teslim Balogun Stadium in Lagos, while others will go on to Cape Verde.
South Africa-based goalkeeper Daniel Akpeyi returns to the squad after a long absence, with defenders Kenneth Omeruo and Kevin Akpoguma, as well as Greece-based forward Henry Onyekuru also included.
Former junior international Kingsley Michael is also called up, as Innocent Bonke from Sweden joins the Nigeria team for the first time.
Napoli’s Victor Osimhen, team captain Ahmed Musa, now based in Turkey, Moses Simon and Paul Onuachu are some of the regular faces in the squad.
The Super Eagles host Liberia at the Teslim Balogun Stadium in Lagos on Friday, 3 September from 5pm, battle Cape Verde away on 7 September before waiting until October for a double-header with the
Central African Republic.
THE FULL LIST
Goalkeepers: Francis Uzoho (APOEL Nicosia, Cyprus); Daniel Akpeyi (Kaizer Chiefs, South Africa); Maduka Okoye (Sparta Rotterdam, The Netherlands)
Defenders: Chidozie Awaziem (FC Boavista, Portugal); Kenneth Omeruo (CD Leganes, Spain); Leon Balogun (Glasgow Rangers, Scotland); William Ekong (Watford FC, England); Olaoluwa Aina (Torino FC, Italy); Jamilu Collins (SC Padeborn 07, Germany); Abdullahi Shehu (AC Omonia, Cyprus); Zaidu Sanusi (FC Porto, Portugal); Kevin Akpoguma (TSG Hoffenheim, Germany)
Midfielders: Oghenekaro Etebo (Watford FC, England); Wilfred Ndidi (Leicester City, England); Frank Onyeka (Brentford FC, England); Joseph Ayodele-Aribo (Galsgow Rangers, Scotland)
Forwards: Ahmed Musa (Fatih Karagumruk, Turkey); Alex Iwobi (Everton FC, England); Samuel Kalu (FC Bordeaux, France); Victor Osimhen (Napoli FC, Italy); Kelechi Iheanacho (Leicester City, England); Moses Simon (FC Nantes, France); Paul Onuachu (KRC Genk, Belgium)
ALTERNATES: Terem Moffi (FC Lorient, France); Henry Onyekuru (Olympiacos FC, Greece); Chidera Ejuke (CSKA Moscow, Russia); Innocent Bonke (Malmo FF, Sweden); Valentine Ozornwafor (Sporting Charleroi, Belgium); Tyronne Ebuehi (Venezia FC, Italy); Kingsley Michael (Bologna FC, Italy)
