By Kehinde Okeowo
Super Eagles captain, Ahmed Musa, and a newcomer, Rangers defender Calvin Bassey, are two of the 23 players invited by Nigerian coach, Gernot Rohr to prosecute the 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifier against the Central African Republic (CAR).
The list of the 23 players invited by the gaffer for the encounter, includes 3 goalkeepers, 9 defenders, 5 midfielders and 6 strikers.
Most supporters of Super Eagles are familiar with the list of players released by NFF, except for Bassey, who is getting a call up to represent Nigeria for the first time.
He has dual citizenship, therefore, he could either play for Nigeria because his parents are Nigerians or wear the colours of Italy, because it’s his place of birth.
According to Completesports.com, the 21-year-old who plays in Scottish Premiership with two other Nigerians, Joe Aribo and Leon Balogun, is expected to provide competition at the left-back for Zaidu Sanusi by who plays for the Portuguese club, Porto.
Leicester City’s Wilfred Ndidi and Oghenekaro Etebo, who plies his trade with Watford In England, were not invited because they are currently nursing injuries.
Super Eagles will host the first leg of the doubleheader encounter with CAR at the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Lagos on Thursday, October 7
The reverse fixture will take place three days later, on Sunday, October 10, in Doula, Central African Republic
Nigeria currently tops the group with 6 points after winning their two group games against Liberia and Cape Verde, while CAR is at the bottom of the group with 1 point.
LIST OF INVITED PLAYERS
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 Paderborn 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 (Glasgow Rangers, Scotland); Innocent Bonke (Malmo FF, Sweden); Alex Iwobi (Everton FC, England); Kelechi Iheanacho (Leicester City, 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)
