Super Eagles chief coach, Sunday Oliseh has promised to make an impact with the team but wants Nigerians to be patient and see how things go.
The former Super Eagles captain who resumed fully in Abuja last Monday in preparations for the 2017 African Cup of Nations qualifying match against the Taifa Stars of Tanzania in Dar se Salam next month, said changes in the team will be a gradual process as he is going to start rebuilding from the scratch.
He said: “It is sad that former coach of the team did not leave behind a strong team. We have no regular Super Eagles team that we can say seven players which played 70 to 80 per cent of the games regularly that we can build the team around.
“Nigerians need to be patient with us as we are practically starting from the scratch. I’ve seen some of the players play in Europe and we’ve talked to some of them but the real changes in the team is going to be a gradual thing.
Already, Oliseh has opened camp with 23 players from the domestic league in preparations for the African Cup of Nations qualifying match from where he intends to pick the best legs to prosecute the match.
He has also invited 18 foreign-based players for the same task.
First –choice goalkeeper and skipper, Vincent Enyeama headlines the list that also has defenders Godfrey Oboabona, Leon Balogun and Kenneth Omeruo, midfielders Rabiu Ibrahim, Lukman Haruna and Joel Obi, and forwards Ahmed Musa, Emmanuel Emenike and Anthony Ujah.
There are a number of surprises, in line with Oliseh’s earlier pledge to make current form and first –level football key indices for selection.
There are goalkeeper Carl Ikeme, midfielder Izunna Ernest Uzochukwu and forwards Emem Eduok, Sylvester Igboun and Moses Simon.
All the 18 players, who will join up with the 23 home boys who arrived camp in Abuja last Monday, are expected in Abuja on Monday, 31st August, 2015 at the latest.
The full list of the foreign players include: Vincent Enyeama (Lille OSC, France); Carl Ikeme (Wolverhampton Wanderers, England) – goalkeepers.
Leon Balogun (FSV Mainz 05, Germany); Kingsley Madu (AS Trencin, Slovakia); Godfrey Oboabona (Caykur Rizespor, Turkey); William Troost Ekong (FK Haugesund, Norway); Kenneth Omeruo (Kasimpasa SK, Turkey) – defenders.
Midfielders are Joel Obi (Torina FC, Italy); Izunna Ernest Uzochukwu (FC Amkar Perm, Russia); Obiora Nwankwo (Coimbra FC, Portugal); Lukman Haruna (Anzhi Machatsjkala, Russia); Rabiu Ibrahim (AS Trencin, Slovakia).
While forwards are Ahmed Musa (CSKA Moscow, Russia); Emem Eduok (Esperance ST, Tunisia); Emmanuel Emenike (Al Ain, UAE); Anthony Ujah (Werder Bremen, Germany); Sylvester Igboun (FC UFA, Russia); Moses Simon (KAA Gent, Belgium)