Super Eagles caretaker coach, Samson Siasia has invited 42 players for the Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Egypt coming up in the coming weeks. The Eagles will host the Egyptians in Kaduna on Friday, March 25 and visit them in Alexandria on Tuesday, March 29. Siasia’s team consists of 22 home-based players and 20 overseas-based professionals.
The home-based players are expected to resume at the Bolton White Apartments, Abuja on Sunday, March 6 before the overseas –based ones hit the camp from Sunday, March 20.
The likes of Chelsea’s Mikel Obi Watford’s Odion Ighalo, CSKA Moscow’s Ahmed Musa, Monaco’s Elderson Echiejile, Lazio’s Ogenyi Onazi, Kelechi Iheanacho of Manchester City, Arsenal’s Alex Iwobi West Ham’s Victor Moses, Lokomotiv Moscow’s Aaron Samuel and South Africa-based goalkeeper Daniel Akpeyi were handed call-ups.
Speaking at their unveiling which took place in Abuja today. Siasia enjoined Nigerians to show belief and support the team.
“I want to passionately appeal to Nigerians, everybody, to show belief in the team and give us total support. It will not be easy, but if we stick together and present a united force to fight this battle, I believe we will triumph.
“I have absolute faith in the players. Nigeria is blessed with so many talented footballers across the world and I know that those we are inviting for this match will give everything for the six points in both matches. Personally, I will give everything that I have to offer for us to win both matches.” He said. FULL SQUAD LIST
HOME –BASED PLAYERS Goalkeepers: Ikechukwu Ezenwa (Sunshine Stars); Olufemi Thomas (Enyimba FC); Emmanuel Daniel (Enugu Rangers) Defenders: Kalu Orji Okogbue (Enugu Rangers); Chibuzor Okonkwo (FC IfeanyiUbah); Mathew Etim (Enugu Rangers); Austin Oboroakpo (Abia Warriors); Sincere Seth (Rhapsody FC); Segun Oduduwa (Nath Boys); Chima Akas (Akwa United); Chris Madaki (Kano Pillars); Oke Ogogatewho (Sunshine Stars) Midfielders: Ifeanyi Mathew (Kano Pillars); Usman Mohammed (FC Taraba); Etebo Oghenekaro (Warri Wolves); Yau Hassan (Wikki Tourists); Stanley Dimgba (Warri Wolves) Forwards: Ezekiel Bassey (Enyimba FC); Prince Aggrey (Kano Pillars); Bright Onyedikachi (FC IfeanyiUbah); Chisom Chikatara (Abia Warriors); Godwin Obaje (Wikki Tourists) OVERSEAS –BASED PLAYERS Goalkeepers: Carl Ikeme (Wolverhampton Wanderers, England); Daniel Akpeyi (Chippa United, South Africa) Defenders: Efe Ambrose (Celtic FC, Scotland); Abdullahi Shehu (Uniao da Madeira, Portugal); Elderson Echiejile (AS Monaco, France); Stanley Amuzie (Olhanense FC, Portugal); Godfrey Oboabona (Caykur Rizespor, Turkey); Kenneth Omeruo (Kasimpasa FC, Turkey) Midfielders: Ogenyi Onazi (SS Lazio, Italy); John Mikel Obi (Chelsea FC, England); Kelechi Iheanacho (Manchester City, England); Azubuike Okechukwu (Yeni Matalyspor, Turkey) Forwards: Ahmed Musa (CSKA Moscow, Russia); Moses Simon (KAA Gent, Belgium); Victor Moses (West Ham United, England); Aminu Umar (Osmanlispor FK, Turkey); Odion Ighalo (Watford FC, England); Aaron Samuel (CSKA Moscow, Russia); Alex Iwobi (Arsenal FC, England); Fanendo Adi (Portland Timbers, USA)