Finidi calls up 23 for World Cup qualifiers with few surprises except for the dropping of Uzoho

SUPER Eagles head coach Finidi George has invited 23 players to camp for the forthcoming World Cup qualifiers against South Africa and Benin Republic taking place next month with the only major shock being the dropping of veteran goalkeeper Francis Uzoho.

On Friday June 7, the Eagles will face South Africa at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo and then three days later will square up against Benin Republic at the Stade Felix Houphouet-Boigny on Monday, June 10. Newly appointed, Finidi has called up 23 players for the two encounters that has led to skipper William Ekong missing out due to injury.

Not surprisingly, the squad includes players who have just gad outstanding seasons such as Ademola Lookman, Victor Osimhen, Victor Bomiface and goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali. In addition, there has also been a return for goalkeeper Maduka Okoye following his outstanding season with Udinese in Italy's Serie A.

Defenders like Calvin Bassey and Semi Ajayi, midfielders Wilfred Ndidi, Alex Iwobi and Alhassan Yusuf, as well as forwards Kelechi Iheanacho, Victor Boniface and Terem Moffi are all in the squad. For the first time, however, Remo Stars’ defender Sadiq Ismael has been called up, alongside Paul Onuachu who has been firing on all cylinders for Turkish side, Trabzonspor.

Full Squad List

Goalkeepers:

Stanley Nwabali (Chippa United, South Africa); Maduka Okoye (Udinese FC, Italy); Ojo Olorunleke (Enyimba FC)

Defenders:

Chidozie Awaziem (Boavista FC, Portugal); Bright Osayi-Samuel (Fenerbahce FC, Turkey); Sadiq Ismael (Remo Stars FC); Oluwasemilogo Ajayi (West Bromwich Albion, England); Calvin Bassey (Fulham FC, England); Benjamin Tanimu (Ihefu SC, Tanzania)

Midfielders:

Wilfred Ndidi (Leicester City, England); Raphael Onyedika (Club Brugge, Belgium); Alhassan Yusuf Abdullahi (Royal Antwerp FC, Belgium); Frank Onyeka (Brentford FC, England); Alex Iwobi (Fulham FC, England); Fisayo Dele-Bashiru (Hatayspor, Turkey)

Forwards:

Nathan Tella (Bayer Leverkusen, Germany); Victor Osimhen (SSC Napoli, Italy); Kelechi Iheanacho (Leicester City, England); Samuel Chukwueze (AC Milan, Italy); Paul Onuachu (Trabzonspor FC, Turkey); Ademola Lookman (Atalanta FC, Italy); Victor Boniface (Bayer Leverkusen, Germany); Terem Moffi (OGC Nice, France)