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AFRICA CUP 2017 QUALIFIERS - NIGERIA - SQUAD - Nigeria face Egypt

AFRICA CUP 2017 QUALIFIERS Kelechi Iheanacho

 

Kelechi Iheanacho looks set to have a big future for club and country

Manchester City striker Kelechi Iheanacho is one of three Premier League players named in Nigeria's squad to face Egypt in two Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers this month.

Nigeria coach Samson Siasia has also picked West Ham's Victor Moses and Arsenal's Alex Iwobi in a 20-man group.

Siasia is in temporary charge following Sunday Oliseh's resignation.

The Super Eagles play Group G rivals Egypt on 25 March in Kaduna and in Alexandria on 29 March.

Nigeria are two points behind leaders Egypt after two rounds of matches with only group winners guaranteed automatic qualification to the tournament in Gabon.

Man City's Iheanacho, who made his debut against Swaziland, has been rewarded with a recall following his nine goals in 24 appearances for his English club this season.

West Ham winger Moses starred as Nigeria clinched the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations, but his search for consistency on the international scene has been hampered by a series of niggling injuries.

His last Super Eagles appearance was in the 2-0 loss to France at the 2014 World Cup.

Former England youth international Iwobi is in line for his first competitive game and follow in the footsteps of his uncle and former Nigeria captain Austin Jay-Jay Okocha.

The 19-year-old has only made two substitute appearances against DR Congo and Cameroon in a friendly but he was on the bench for the 2018 World Cup qualifiers against Swaziland in November.

Lazio midfielder Ogenyi Onazi is suspended for the first game in Kaduna after he received a straight red card against Chad in June 2015.

Fanendo Adi, who plays for MLS champions Portland Timbers, has been handed his first call-up, but key defender Leon Balogun has been omitted.

Sasia has picked some of the local boys who he led to the U-23 championship title last year, including captain Azubuike Okechukwu, Usman 

Mohammed and Etebo Oghenekaro Leon Balogun is a surprise omission, given his excellent form for Mainz in the German Bundesliga.

 

Nigeria squad:


Goalkeepers: 

Carl Ikeme 
(Wolverhampton Wanderers, England)

Daniel Akpeyi 
(Chippa United, SA)


Defenders: 

Abdullahi Shehu 
(Uniao da Madeira, Portugal)

Elderson Echiejile 
(AS Monaco, France)

Kenneth Omeruo 
(Kasimpasa, Turkey)

Godfrey Oboabona 
(Caykur Rizespor, Turkey)

Efe Ambrose 
(Celtic FC, Scotland)

Staneley Amuzie 
(Olhanense, Portugal)


Midfielders: 

Ogenyi Onazi 
(SS Lazio, Italy)

John Mikel Obi 
(Chelsea FC, England)

Azubuike Okechukwu 
(Yeni Malatyaspor, Turkey)

Victor Moses 
(West Ham United, England)


Forwards: 

Ahmed Musa 
(CSKA Moscow, Russia)

Aaron Samuel 
(CSKA Moscow, Russia)

Moses Simon 
(KAA Gent, Belgium)

Odion Ighalo 
(Watford FC, England)

Alex Iwobi 
(Arsenal FC, England)

Fanendo Adi 
(Portland Timbers, USA)

Aminu Umar 
(Osmanlispor, Turkey)

Kelechi Iheanacho 
(Manchester. City, England)

 

Locally-based players:

• Ikechukwu Ezenwa

• Femi Thomas

• Austin Oboroakpo

• Kalu Orji

• Chibuzor Okonkwo

• Etim Matthew

• Sincere Seth

• Segun Oduduwa

• Chima Akas

• Chris Madaki

• Oke Ogagatewho

• Ifeanyi Matthew

• Usman Mohammed

• Etebo Oghenekaro

• Stanley Dimgba

• Yau Hassan

• Ezeikel Bassey

• Prince Aggreh

• Bright Onyedikachi

• Chisom Chikatara

• Godwin Obaje

• Emmanuel Daniel

 

 

23 Mar 2016
(BBC Sport, Nigeria by Oluwashina Okeleji)

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