Ighalo rejoins Super Eagles as Rohr calls Musa, Ekong, 22 others for Liberia, Cape Verde World Cup qualifiers
Odion Ighalo has been recalled by Nigeria for this month’s 2022 World Cup qualifiers.
Ighalo, who now plays for Al Shabab in Saudi Arabia, is one of 24 players named by head coach Gernot Rohr for the matches against Liberia on 13 November in Morocco and Cape Verde at home three days later.
The former Manchester United forward quit the Super Eagles after finishing as top scorer at the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations, and had told BBC S port Africa last week a return was “not something I have to rush”.
There are also recalls for Leicester midfielder Wilfred Ndidi, who’s back from injury, Everton man Alex Iwobi and Villarreal’s Samuel Chukwueze after the trio missed last month’s home defeat to Central African Republic.
Nigeria are top of Group C with nine points, but Cape Verde are in second with seven points. Only group winners will progress to the play-off round, which will hold next year.
The NFF said in a statement: “The invited players and overseas-based members of the technical crew are to report directly to the city of Tangier on Monday, 8th November while technical officials from Nigeria are to report in Tangier the same day.”
Complete squad
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)
