2018 World Cup Cracker: Rohr Picks 23 Eagles For Lions’ Showdown
Ahead of September’s double header for the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia, Super Eagles’ Technical Adviser, Gernot Rohr has picked 23 players for the qualifying ties against reigning African champions, Indomitable Lions of Cameroon.
Making the list of players for the two leg encounters are China-based returnees, Captain Mikel John Obi and Striker Odion Ighalo as well as Germany-based defender Leon Balogun, who missed the World Cup qualifier against Algeria and Eagles’ embarrassing 0-2 loss to South Africa in the 2019 Africa Nations Cup qualifier in Uyo.
The Eagles are scheduled to hosts Cameroon on Friday, September 1, at the ‘Godswill Akpabio’s Nest of Champions’ International Stadium, Uyo before storming Yaounde on Monday, September 4, 2017 for the explosive return leg confrontation.
Aside Israel-based target man, Anthony Nwakaeme, who is getting his first call-up from the German-born Rohr, in-form Chelsea’s wing back, Victor Moses is also returning to the Eagles’ fold after missing the June 2017 defeat in the hands of Bafana Bafana due to injury.
According to the list, there are no major changes in the team with the Technical Adviser keeping faith with his regulars that include goalkeepers Ikechukwu Ezenwa, Daniel Akpeyi and Dele Alampasu, defenders William Ekong, Abdullahi Shehu and Elderson Echiejile; midfielders Ogenyi Onazi, Wilfred Ndidi, John Ogu and Oghenekaro Etebo; and strikers Alex Iwobi, Ahmed Musa, Moses Simon and Kelechi Iheanacho.
So far, Nigeria has amassed six points, after heartwarming victories over Zambia and Algeria in their first two matches. The Eagles currently sit atop Group B, Africa’s 2018 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers table with the Indomitable Lions placed second after garnering only two points from their one-all draws against both Algeria and Zambia.
Meanwhile, Coach Rohr, through the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has put seven other players on notice, as they could be contacted if issues arise with any of the 23 players invited to camp for the qualifiers.
ALL THE INVITEES
GOALKEEPERS: Daniel Akpeyi (Chippa United – South Africa); Ikechukwu Ezenwa (FC Ifeanyi Ubah); Dele Alampasu (Cesarense FC – Portugal)
DEFENDERS: William Ekong (Bursaspor FC – Turkey); Abdullahi Shehu (Anorthosis Famagusta – Cyprus); Leon Balogun (FSV Mainz 05 – Germany); Tyronne Ebuehi (ADO Den Haag – The Netherlands); Elderson Echiejile (Sivasspor FC – Turkey); Chidozie Awaziem (Nantes FC – France); and Ola Aina (Hull City – England)
MIDFIELDERS: Mikel John Obi (Tianjin Teda – China); Ogenyi Onazi (Trabzonspor FC – Turkey); Wilfred Ndidi (Leicester City – England); Oghenekaro Etebo (CD Feirense – Portugal); John Ogu (Hapoel Be’er Sheva – Israel); Mikel Agu (Bursaspor FC – Turkey)
FORWARDS: Ahmed Musa (Leicester City – England); Kelechi Iheanacho (Leicester City – England); Moses Simon (KAA Gent – Belgium); Alex Iwobi (Arsenal FC – England); Odion Ighalo (Chang Chun-Yatai – China); Victor Moses (Chelsea FC – England); Anthony Nwakaeme (Hapoel Be’er Sheva – Israel)
STANDBY: Uche Agbo (Standard Liege – Belgium); Henry Onyekuru (Anderlecht – Belgium); Kenneth Omeruo (Chelsea – England); Aaron Samuel (CSKA Moscow – Russia); Alhassan Ibrahim (Akwa United); Stephen Eze (FC Ifeanyi Ubah); and Ifeanyi Ifeanyi (Akwa United)
