Rohr Names 24-man Squad To Battle Algeria
SAN FRANCISCO, October 31, (THEWILL) – Super Eagles' Technical Adviser, Gernot Rohr, has named his 24-man squad for next month's 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifying match against the Fennecs of Algeria in Uyo.
Captain Mikel John Obi, assistant captain Ahmed Musa, goalkeeper Carl Ikeme and 21 others made the team as Rohr retained the bulk of the squad that defeated Zambia 2-1 in Ndola earlier this month to put Nigeria in control of Group B.
Rohr has also beefed up the playing body with in –form Israeli –based midfielder John Ogu and Nigeria's top scorer at the Olympic Men's Football Tournament in Brazil, Oghenekaro Etebo.
Leon Balogun returns to the side after recovering from injury while English Premiership stars Victor Moses and Odion Ighalo are also called.
Former junior international goalkeeper Dele Alampasu and Dutch-based defender Tyrone Ebuehi are also invited.
Players are expected to start arriving at the team's Bolton White Apartment in Abuja on Sunday, November 6 as the Super Eagles welcome the Fennecs at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium on Saturday, 12th November .
Goalkeepers: Carl Ikeme (Wolverhampton Wanderers, England); Ikechukwu Ezenwa (FC IfeanyiUbah); Dele Alampasu (FC Cesarense, Portugal)
Defenders: Leon Balogun (FSV Mainz 05, Germany); William Paul Ekong (Haugesund FC, Norway); Kenneth Omeruo (Alanyaspor FC, Turkey); Uche Henry Agbo (Granada FC, Spain); Tyrone Ebuehi (ADO Den Haag, The Netherlands); Abdullahi Shehu (Anorthosis Famagusta, Cyprus); Musa Muhammed (Istanbul Basaksehir, Turkey); Elderson Echiejile (Standard Liege, Belgium), Kingsley Madu (SV Zulte Waregem, Belgium)
Midfielders: Mikel John Obi (Chelsea FC, England); Ogenyi Onazi (Trabzonspor FC, Turkey); Wilfred Ndidi (KRC Genk, Belgium); Oghenekaro Etebo (CD Feirense, Portugal); John Ogu (Hapoel Be'er Sheva, Israel)
Forwards: Ahmed Musa (Leicester City, England); Kelechi Iheanacho (Manchester City, England); Moses Simon (KAA Gent, Belgium); Victor Moses (Chelsea FC, England); Odion Ighalo (Watford FC, England); Brown Ideye (Olympiacos FC, Greece); Alex Iwobi (Arsenal FC, England)
Story by Oputah David