ROHR LISTS UZOHO, ONYEKURU IN SQUAD FOR ALGERIA AND ARGENTINA CLASHES
Nigeria coach Gernot Rohr has handed a first call-up to Deportivo La Coruna’s Francis Uzoho, as he looks at his goalkeeping options for next year’s World Cup.
The young goalkeeper – who made his first Deportivo La Coruna appearance only recently – has been given a shot at earning a Russia 2018 spot after Rohr called him up for next week’s World Cup qualifiers away to Algeria and the friendly against Argentina, which will hold on November 14 in Krasnodar.
Uzoho is joined in the squad by another uncapped player – on-loan Manchester City player, Chidiebere Nwakali.
Captain Mikel Obi, Odion Ighalo, Leon Balogun and Ogenyi Onazi headline the list of players invited for the two matches.
Chelsea’s Victor Moses misses out due to injury. Left-back Elderson Echiejile has been dropped; however, Anderlecht forward Henry makes a return to the team after being left out of last month’s clash with Zambia.
AFCON 2013 winner Kenneth Omeruo, alongside former Akwa United forward Ibrahim Alhassan and uncapped Amkar Perm’s Brian Idowu are on standby for both games.
According to an official statement, the Super Eagles camp will open in Morocco on Monday, November 6, while the Nigeria delegation will fly to Constantine on Thursday, November 9.
THE FULL LIST
•Goalkeepers: Daniel Akpeyi (Chippa United, South Africa); Ikechukwu Ezenwa (FC Ifeanyi Ubah); Francis Uzoho (Deportivo La Coruna, Spain)
•Defenders: William Troost-Ekong (Bursaspor FC, Turkey); Abdullahi Shehu (Anorthosis Famagusta, Cyprus); Tyronne Ebuehi (ADO Den Haag, The Netherlands); Leon Balogun (FSV Mainz 05, Germany); Uche Agbo (Standard Liege, Belgium); Chidozie Awaziem (Nantes FC, France); Olaoluwa 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); Chidiebere Nwakali (Sogndal FC, Norway)
•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); Henry Onyekuru (RSC Anderlecht, Belgium); Anthony Nwakaeme (Hapoel Be’er Sheva, Israel)
•STANDBY: Kenneth Omeruo (Kasimpasa FC, Turkey); Alhassan Ibrahim (FK Austria Wien, Austria); Brian Idowu (FC Amkar Perm, Russia)
