World Cup qualifiers: Musa, Ekong, Iheanacho listed in Super Eagles squad to face Central African Republic

Nigerian national team coach, Gernot Rohr has released a 23-man squad list for the Super Eagles’ World Cup qualifying encounters with Central African Republic next week.

Captain Ahmed Musa, deputy captain Wlliam Ekong are among those who will face CAR in the home and away games in Lagos and Douala.

Super Eagles’ home game will hold at the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Lagos on Thursday, 7th October with the away match in Douala, Cameroon (presently the ‘home’ of Central African Republic national teams) on Sunday, 10th October.

Nigeria already have six points from their first two World Cup qualifying games (against Liberia in Lagos and against Cape Verde in Mindelo earlier this month).

Goalkeepers Maduka Okoye, Francis Uzoho and Daniel Akpeyi return, just as defenders William Ekong, Abdullahi Shehu, Chidozie Awaziem, Leon Balogun, Jamilu Collins, Olaoluwa Aina and Kenneth Omeruo.

In defence, Kevin Akpoguma, who missed the last games as a result of illness, has been called, and there’s been a new call-up for Calvin Ughelumba of Glasgow Rangers FC in Scotland.

Frank Onyeka and Joseph Aribo will replace Wilfred Ndidi and Oghenekaro Etebo, who are out injured, in midfield. Rohr also listed Premier League duo Alex Iwobi and Kelechi Iheanacho in midfield.

Captain Musa leads the line in attack, with in-form Moses Simon, Victor Osimhen, Chidera Ojuke, Paul Onuachu and Samuel Kalu also called.

Victory in both matches will guarantee the Super Eagles passage to the all-important knockout rounds scheduled for March 2022, which will produce Africa’s five flagbearers at the World Cup in Qatar.

THE FULL LIST

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); Calvin Ughelumba (Glasgow Rangers, Scotland); Kevin Akpoguma (TSG Hoffenheim, Germany)

Midfielders: Frank Onyeka (Brentford FC, England); Joseph Ayodele-Aribo (Galsgow Rangers, Scotland); Innocent Bonke (Malmo FF, Sweden); Alex Iwobi (Everton FC, England); Kelechi Iheanacho (Leicester City, England)

Forwards: Ahmed Musa (Fatih Karagumruk, Turkey); Samuel Kalu (FC Bordeaux, France); Victor Osimhen (Napoli FC, Italy); Moses Simon (FC Nantes, France); Paul Onuachu (KRC Genk, Belgium); Chidera Ejuke (CSKA Moscow, Russia)