Oliseh hands surprise recall to Martins and invites Iheanacho too for World Cup qualifier

SUPER Eagles head coach Sunday Oliseh has invited Seattle Sounders striker Obafemi Martins and Manchester City playmaker Kelechi Iheanacho to camp for next month's World Cup qualifier against Swaziland.

 

In a surprise move, Martins, 31, has been given a surprise recall after more than four years in the wilderness but it appears his current good form in the American Major League Soccer (MLS) league has caught the eye. Iheanacho, 19 on the other hand had been expected to be invited given his superb form and ability to break into the star-studded Manchester City team.

 

Both players are among the 23 names Oliseh has invited for camping, although there were a few other surprises with West Ham's Victor Moses absent. Nigeria will play a two–legged knock out tie against Swaziland over four days next month, with the first leg in Lobamba on Friday, November 13 and the return one at the Adokiye Amiesiamaka Stadium in Port Harcourt on Tuesday, November 17.

 

Martins' invitation is a sweet birthday present for the player who turned 31 on Wednesday and who scored for Nigeria on his debut in a friendly match against the Republic of Ireland in London in May 2005. Also invited are six home–based professionals, who all played notable roles in Nigeria’s qualification for the fourth African Nations Championship at the expense of Burkina Faso.

 

Chelsea midfielder Mikel Obi and Arsenal FC’s Alex Iwobi are also invited, as are Portugal-based former junior internationals Dele Alampasu and Abdullahi Shehu. Oliseh has directed all the players to arrive at the Bolton White Apartments, Abuja on Sunday, November 8 as training commences same day by 7pm.

 

Fill list

Goalkeepers: Carl Ikeme (Wolverhampton Wanderers, England); Ikechukwu Ezenwa (Sunshine Stars); Dele Alampasu (Club de Sportivo Feirense, Portugal)

 

Defenders: Abdullahi Shehu (Uniao da Madeira, Portugal); Kalu Orji (Enyimba FC); Elderson Echiejile (AS Monaco, France); Chima Akas (Sharks FC); Leon Balogun (FSV Mainz, Germany); Godfrey Oboabona (Caykur Rizespor, Turkey); Efe Ambrose (Celtic FC, Scotland); Austin Oboroakpo (Abia Warriors)

 

Midfielders: Ogenyi Onazi (SS Lazio, Italy); Paul Onobi (Sunshine Stars); John Mikel Obi (Chelsea FC, England); Rabiu Ibrahim (AS Trencin, Slovakia); Wilfred Ndidi (KRC Genk, Belgium); Sylvester Igbonu (FC UFA, Russia)

 

Forwards: Ahmed Musa (CSKA Moscow, Russia); Moses Simon (KAA Gent, Belgium); Odion Ighalo (Watford FC, England); Ezekiel Bassey (Enyimba FC); Alex Iwobi (Arsenal FC, England); Obafemi Martins (Seattle Sounders, USA).