Odion Ighalo has returned from retirement to help the Super Eagles qualify for the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
This came after head coach Gernot Rohr extended an invitation to the Al-shabab of Saudi Arabia forward ahead of Nigeria’s final qualifying games against Liberia and Cape Verde later this month.
The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) Communications Department officially issued the list on Monday.
Remember that Ighalo, the top scorer at the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), declared his retirement from international football after helping Nigeria earn bronze in Egypt.
On Saturday, November 13th, the Super Eagles will face Liberia’s Lone Star at the Grand Stade Tangier in Morocco, before flying to Lagos for the final group encounter against Cape Verde’s Blue Sharks at the Teslim Balogun Stadium on Tuesday, November 16th.
Top of their pool with nine points but trailing seven-pointer Cape Verde, the Eagles need three points against the Lone Star on neutral turf in Morocco’s largest northern city three days later to stay on firm ground while facing the Blue Sharks.
Wilfred Ndidi, a midfield enforcer for Leicester City in England, is back in the team after missing the last set of home-and-away games against Central African Republic, along with fellow Premier League star Alex Iwobi and Spain-based attacker Samuel Chukwueze.
Regulars like Ahmed Musa, Leon Balogun, William Troost-Ekong, Kelechi Iheanacho, Moses Simon, Maduka Okoye, and Chidera Ejuke are also listed for the key games.
Francis Uzoho, Daniel Akpeyi, Kevin Akpoguma, Jamilu Collins, and Joe Aribo are among the other players listed.
On Monday, November 8th, the invited players and overseas-based members of the technical crew will arrive in Tangier, while technical authorities from Nigeria will arrive on the same day.
Eagles 24-man squad for Liberia and Cape Verde:
Goalkeepers: Francis Uzoho (AC Omonia, Cyprus); Daniel Akpeyi (Kaizer Chiefs, South Africa); Maduka Okoye (Sparta Rotterdam, The Netherlands)
Defenders: Chidozie Awaziem (Alanyaspor FC, Turkey); Kenneth Omeruo (CD Leganes, Spain); Leon Balogun (Glasgow Rangers, Scotland); William Ekong (Watford FC, England); Olaoluwa Aina (Torino FC, Italy); Jamilu Collins (SC Padeborn 07, Germany); Abdullahi Shehu (AC Omonia, Cyprus); Zaidu Sanusi (FC Porto, Portugal); Kevin Akpoguma (TSG Hoffenheim, Germany)
Midfielders: Frank Onyeka (Brentford FC, England); Joseph Ayodele-Aribo (Galsgow Rangers, Scotland); Wilfred Ndidi (Leicester City, England); Alex Iwobi (Everton FC, England); Kelechi Iheanacho (Leicester City, England)
Forwards: Ahmed Musa (Fatih Karagumruk, Turkey); Samuel Chukwueze (Villarreal FC, Spain); Victor Osimhen (Napoli FC, Italy); Moses Simon (FC Nantes, France); Paul Onuachu (KRC Genk, Belgium); Chidera Ejuke (CSKA Moscow, Russia); Odion Jude Ighalo (Al-Shabab Riyadh, Saudi Arabia)
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