By Valentine Amanze, Online Editor
Nigerian Super Eagles midfielder, Oghenekaro Etebo, has been recalled to the national team by the
Technical Adviser, Gernot Rohr.
He made the 21-man list to battle the Leone Stars of Sierra Leone in next month’s 2022 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying quick-fire double.
Other players called up as reported by Brilafm include Captain Ahmed Musa; defenders, William Ekong,
Kenneth Omeruo, Leon Balogun and Chidozie Awaziem.
Midfielder Alex Iwobi and forwards Moses Simon, Samuel Chukwueze and Chidera Ejuke were also called.
Nigeria’s leading marksman in the series, Victor Osimhen, returns after missing out of this month’s friendlies against Algeria and Tunisia, just as midfielder, Joseph Ayodele-Aribo, and South Africa-based goalkeeper, Daniel Akpeyi.
Switzerland-based goalkeeper, Sebastian Osigwe, will hope to earn his first cap for Nigeria, while defenders, Kevin Akpoguma, and Zaidu Sanusi, who impressed in the friendlies in Austria, were handed opportunities to add to their caps.
However, seven players are on standby. They include defender, Abdullahi Shehu; goalkeeper, Francis Uzoho; midfielders, Ramon Azeez and Samson Tijani; and forward, Paul Onuachu.
The Super Eagles take on the Leone Stars at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, Benin City on Friday, November 13, 2020 before flying to Freetown for the return game on Tuesday, November 17 at the Siaka Stevens Stadium.
Players are expected to report at the Protea Hotel Emotan in Benin City on Monday, November 9, 2020.
Victory in both encounters will all but guarantee Nigeria a slot at the 2022 Africa Cup of Nations finals holding in Cameroon.
THE FULL LIST
Goalkeepers: Daniel Akpeyi (Kaizer Chiefs, South Africa); Sebastian Osigwe (FC Lugano, Switzerland); Maduka Okoye (Sparta Rotterdam, The Netherlands)
Defenders: Kenneth Omeruo (CD Leganes, Spain); Leon Balogun (Glasgow Rangers, Scotland); Chidozie Awaziem (FC Boavista, Portugal); William Ekong (Watford FC, England); Olaoluwa Aina (Fulham FC, England); Jamilu Collins (SC Padeborn 07, Germany); Oluwasemilogo Ajayi (West Bromwich Albion, England); Zaidu Sanusi (FC Porto, Portugal); Kevin Akpoguma (TSG 1899 Hoffenheim, Germany)
Midfielders: Oghenekaro Etebo (Galatasaray, Turkey); Tyronne Ebuehi (FC Twente, Netherlands); Frank Onyeka (FC Midtjylland, Denmark); Joseph Ayodele-Aribo (Glasgow Rangers, Scotland)
Forwards: Ahmed Musa (Unattached); Alex Iwobi (Everton FC, England); Emmanuel Dennis Bonaventure (Club Brugge, Belgium); Moses Simon (FC Nantes, France); Samuel Chukwueze (Villarreal FC, Spain); Victor Osimhen (Napoli FC, Italy); Kelechi Iheanacho (Leicester City, England); Chidera Ejuke (CSKA Moscow, Russia)
Standby: Francis Uzoho (APOEL Nicosia, Cyprus); Samson Tijani (TSV Hartberg, Austria); Abdullahi Shehu (Omonia Nicosia, Cyprus); Ramon Azeez (Granada CF, Spain); Kelechi Nwakali (SD Huesca, Spain); Ikechukwu Ezenwa (Heartland FC); Paul Onuachu (KRC Genk, Belgium).