Oliseh calls up JJ's cousin Alex Iwobi of Arsenal for Congo and Cameroon friendlies

SUPER Eagles head coach Sunday Oliseh has called up Arsenal teenager Alex Iwobi to the Nigerian squad for next month's friendly games against the Democratic Republic of Congo and Cameroon taking place in Belgium on October 8 and 11 respectively.

 

On October 8, the Eagles face Congo in Antwerp and on the 11th they face Cameroon in Brussels and head coach Oliseh has already invited 24 players to camp for the games. Yesterday, the head coach extended an invitation to Iwobi after football governing body Fifa cleared him to play for Nigeria.

 

Iwobi, 19, has played for England at youth level but has pledged his international future to Nigeria. He has already trained with the Nigerian under-23s currently coached by Samson Siasia but to become a fully fledged senior international, he needed Fifa clearance, which only just came through.

 

One Nigerian Football Federation official said: “Super Eagles head coach, Sunday Oliseh, has added Arsenal FC starlet Alex Iwobi to the list of invited players for next month’s friendly internationals against Democratic Republic of Congo and Cameroon in Belgium. Iwobi, who trained with the Nigeria U-23 squad ahead of an All-Africa Games qualifying return leg match early in March, is eligible to represent Nigeria despite featuring for England at youth level.”

 

Iwobi’s invitation now takes the number of player called up by Oliseh for the two friendlies to 25. Currently the captain of Arsenal’s U-21 team, Iwobi, who is a cousin to former skipper JayJay Okocha,  is thought to be close to making his senior breakthrough at Arsenal.

 

The full squad

Goalkeepers: Vincent Enyeama (Lille OSC, France); Carl Ikeme (Wolverhampton Wanderers, England); Ikechukwu Ezenwa (Sunshine Stars); Femi Thomas (Enyimba FC)

 

Defenders: Leon Balogun (FSV Mainz 05, Germany); Abdullahi Shehu (Uniao da Madeira Portugal); Elderson Echiejile (AS Monaco, France); Chima Akas (Sharks FC); Godfrey Oboabona (Caykur Rizespor, Turkey); William Troost Ekong (FK Haugesund, Norway); Kenneth Omeruo (Kasimpasa SK, Turkey); Austin Obaroakpo (Abia Warriors)

 

Midfielders: Ogenyi Onazi (SS Lazio, Italy); Paul Onobi (Sunshine Stars); Obiora Nwankwo (Coimbra FC, Portugal); John Mikel Obi (Chelsea FC, England); Rabiu Ibrahim (AS Trencin, Slovakia)

 

Forwards: Ahmed Musa (CSKA Moscow, Russia); Emmanuel Emenike (Al Ain, UAE); Sylvester Igbonu (FC UFA, Russia); Moses Simon (KAA Gent, Belgium); Victor Moses (West Ham United, England); Odion Ighalo (Watford FC, England); Prince Aggreh (Sunshine Stars); Alex Iwobi (Arsenal FC, England)