NFF approves Coach Rohr's list of 23 Eagles invited to prosecute Cameroon World Cup qualifier

NIGERIAN Football Federation (NFF) officials have approved the recent list of 23 players presented by Super eagles head coach Gernot Rohr who have been invited to camp to prosecute the double headed World Cup qualifier against Cameroon.

On September 1, the Eagles will face Cameroon's Indomitable Lions at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium Uyo in a Russia 2018 qualifier and three days later the two teams will meet again in Yaounde. Yesterday, Mr Rohr published his list of 23 players called up to prosecute the tie and included a standby list of seven.

NFF technical committee chairman Chris Green said Coach Rohr’s list was adequate. He added that the NFF is confident that Rohr and his team will get the maximum points.

Mr Green said: “Well, I want to say the list is fair and it is actually at the discretion of the coach. He has done his scouting and he has his strategy and his tactics too, so what he is doing now is just getting skeletons and putting them into the flesh.

“He has gotten those players he thinks will help him execute whatever plans he has. Of course, he has players on standby should anything unforeseen happen to those who have been so chosen, so let us see the list as our own and as a list that God will bless us and give us our desired result.”

Team captain Mikel John Obi and striker Odion Ighalo are back,while  Israel-based marksman Anthony Nwakaeme gets a first call-up. Germany-based defender Leon Balogun returns after missing the World Cup qualifier against Algeria and the African nations Cup qualifier against South Africa, while Chelsea wing back Victor Moses is also back after sitting out the duel with the Bafana Bafana in June due to injury.

Mr Rohr has largely kept faith with his regular army, including goalkeepers Daniel Akpeyi, Ikechukwu Ezenwa and Dele Alampasu, defenders William Ekong, Elderson Echiejile and Abdullahi Shehu, midfielders Ogenyi Onazi, John Ogu, Wilfred Ndidi and Oghenekaro Etebo, and forwards Ahmed Musa, Moses Simon, Alex Iwobi and Kelechi Iheanacho. Nigeria's Super Eagles are top of Group B with six points, after wins over Zambia and Algeria in their first two matches, while Les Lions lie second with only two points following 1-1 draws with Algeria and Zambia.

Full list

Goalkeepers

Daniel Akpeyi (Chippa United, South Africa); Ikechukwu Ezenwa (FC IfeanyiUbah); 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); 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 FC, Belgium); Kenneth Omeruo (Chelsea FC, England); Aaron Samuel (CSKA Moscow, Russia); Alhassan Ibrahim (Akwa United); Stephen Eze (FC IfeanyiUbah); Ifeanyi Ifeanyi (Akwa United)