Nigeria head coach Gernot Rohr has invited 23 players for the forthcoming international friendly match against Ukraine. The match is going to be played on Tuesday next week.
The manager who helped Nigeria win the bronze medal in the just concluded AFCON has included some first-timers to the squad leaving out Daniel Ekpeyi, the first-choice goalkeeper in the AFCON.
Gernot Rohr has been following up with his players in their various clubs and also trying to call Nigerian players in the diaspora to further equip the team.
So far he has been able to convince Maduka Okoye of Fortuna Dusseldorf of Germany. Okoye has been in Germany almost all his life and has longed wished to play for the Super Eagles.
The following is the complete list of chosen players:
Francis Ozoho (Omonia F.C Cyprus, on loan from Deportivo de La Coruna) Maduka Okoye (Dusseldorf, Germany) Ikechukwu Ezenwa (Heartland F.C, Nigeria).
Kenneth Omeruo (CD Leganes, Spain), William Ekong (Udinese FC, Italy); Leon Balogun (Brighton & Hove Albion, England) Jamilu Collins (SC Paderborn 07, Germany), Olaoluwa Aina (Torino FC, Italy), Tyronne Ebuehi (FC Benfica, Portugal), Chidozie Awaziem (CD Leganes).
Alexander Iwobi (Everton FC, England), the former Arsenal man who has been superb since joining Everton with two goals in his last four games was in the 23 man list. Wilfred Ndidi (Leicester City, England) the engine room in King Power Stadium. Oghenekaro Etebo (Stoke City FC, England), Joe Aribo (Glasgow Rangers, Scotland) he is one of the first-timers in the list. The England born Nigerian will be making his debut against the Ukrainian side on Tuesday.
Ahmed Musa (Al Nassar FC, Saudi Arabia), Victor Osimhen (Lille OSC, France) the young lad who is said to be the next goal machine of Nigeria, is currently topping Neymar, Cavani, and Mbape in the French Ligue 1 with four goals in three matches. Moses Simon (Levante FC, Spain loan Nantes); Henry Onyekuru (AS Monaco, France); Samuel Kalu (Girondins Bordeaux, France); Paul Onuachu (FC Midtjyland, Denmark); Samuel Chukwueze (Villarreal FC, Spain).
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The 23 players were expected to be in camp before Saturday however Monaco’s Henry Onyekuru was not able to submit to the callup due to injury. He became the first player to withdraw from the list followed by Wilfred Ndidi, Tyronne Ebuehi and the team’s captain Ahmed Musa who also withdrew from featuring in the friendly match.
Meanwhile, Kenneth Omeruo continues to process his work permit in Spain. Dennis Bonaventure was called up to replace Oyekuru, Samuel Kalu, Semi Ajayi, and Josh Maja for the new 18-man team as a replacement for Wilfred Ndidi.