SUPER Eagles head coach Gernot Rohr has called up 23 players for the Qatar 2022 World Cup qualifiers against Central African Republic.
Nigeria will host Central African Republic on Thursday, 7 October in Lagos and face them again three days later in Douala, Cameroon, which has been designated as the country’s home venue due to them not having any suitable stadium.
Rohr’s squad includes most of the regular players like captain Ahmed Musa, deputy captain Wlliam Troost-Ekong, Alex Iwobi, Kelechi Iheanacho and Victor Osimhen.
Goalkeepers Maduka Okoye, Daniel Akpeyi and Francis Uzoho are also included, along with Joe Aribo, Leon Balogun, Ola Aina, Samuel Kalu, Moses Simon and Paul Onuachu.
Midfielders Wilfred Ndidi and Oghenekaro Etebo are however left out due to injuries, while defender Kevin Akpoguma and midfielder Frank Onyeka have been recalled.
Rangers left-back Calvin Bassey, who has played seven times for the Scottish Premiership champions this season, has been given his first call-up aged 21.
Having won their first two qualifiers in the group against Liberia in Lagos and Cape Verde in Mindelo in September, the Super Eagles would all but seal qualification for the play-offs with another six points against the Central Africans.
The Super Eagles squad is made up of three goalkeepers, nine defenders, four midfielders and seven attackers, with all the players based in Europe.
SUPER EAGLES SQUAD
Goalkeepers: Francis Uzoho (AC Omonia, Cyprus); Daniel Akpeyi (Kaizer Chiefs, South Africa); Maduka Okoye (Sparta Rotterdam, The Netherlands)
Defenders: Chidozie Awaziem (Alanyaspor FC, Turkey); 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); Calvin Ughelumba (Glasgow Rangers, Scotland); Kevin Akpoguma (TSG Hoffenheim, Germany)
Midfielders: Frank Onyeka (Brentford FC, England); Joseph Ayodele-Aribo (Galsgow Rangers, Scotland); Innocent Bonke (Malmo FF, Sweden); Alex Iwobi (Everton FC, England)
Forwards: Ahmed Musa (Fatih Karagumruk, Turkey); Samuel Kalu (FC Bordeaux, France); Victor Osimhen (Napoli FC, Italy); Moses Simon (FC Nantes, France); Paul Onuachu (KRC Genk, Belgium); Chidera Ejuke (CSKA Moscow, Russia); Kelechi Iheanacho (Leicester City, England)
