Nigeria will play Mali and Luxemburg in Europe during the next Fifa window between May 27 and June 1 as part of the ongoing rebuilding programme at preparing the team for the 2018 World Cup qualifiers. Having failed to qualify for the 2017 African Cup of Nations, the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) has now focused its attention on getting the Eagles prepared for the World Cup coming up in Russia in two years time.
As part of this rebuilding process, the Eagles will face Mali at the Stade Robert Diochon in Rouen, in France on May 27 before flying to Luxembourg to take on that country’s national team on June 1. There have been a few surprises in coach Yusuf's squad but it involves all the big guns including Ahmed Musa, Odion Ighalo and goalkeeper Carl Ikeme.
However, coach Yusuf has picked a relatively young squad that also includes former U-20 skipper Musa Muhammed, defender Gbenga Arokoyo, Raheem Lawal, 2013 Africa Cup of Nations winner Brown Ideye, one cap left back Kingsley Madu and unknown Portuguese-based defender Chidozie Awaziem. Defenders Kenneth Omeruo, Leon Balogun and William Troost Ekong return, while Ogenyi Onazi, Abdullahi Shehu, Elderson Echiejile, Moses Simon, Victor Moses, Alex Iwobi and Aaron Samuel are all in the squad too.
Chelsea loanee Kenneth Omeruo has dismissed rumours he will not be fit for the friendlies following reports by a section of the local press that he is currently nursing a groin injury. He missed last month’s African Nations Cup qualifiers against Egypt on account of injury but he has since fully recovered.
Omeruo said: “I am happy that I have been called up for the friendly games against Mali and Luxembourg. I am looking forward to putting on the green and white of Nigeria again and giving my 100% to the team.”
“I am very fit and hope to stay this way for my club and country and there is no truth in the reports that I am currently sidelined by groin injury. I regret my inability to be part of the Olympic team but as a professional player one has to be guided by the recommendations of experts."
He added that his club's doctors advised that it is best that he has a good rest during the off season and they felt participating at the Olympics would not allow him to do that. Omeruo added, however, that despite his absence, he is confident the team will do Nigeria proud at the Rio Olympics.
Full list of invitees:
Goalkeepers:
Carl Ikeme (Wolverhampton Wanderers, England); Daniel Akpeyi (Chippa United, South Africa); Ikechukwu Ezenwa (Sunshine Stars)
Defenders:
Abdullahi Shehu (Uniao da Madeira, Portugal); Musa Muhammed (Istanbul Basaksehir, Turkey); Elderson Echiejile (AS Monaco, France); Kingsley Madu (AS Trencin, Slovakia); Kenneth Omeruo (Kasimpasa SK, Turkey); Leon Balogun (Mainz 05, Germany); Gbenga Arokoyo (Gaziantepspor, Turkey); William Troost Ekong (Haugesund FC, Norway); Chidozie Awaziem (FC Porto, Portugal)
Midfielders:
Ogenyi Onazi (SS Lazio, Italy); John Mikel Obi (Chelsea FC, England); Kelechi Iheanacho (Manchester City, England); Wilfred Ndidi KRC Genk, Belgium); Raheem Lawal (Osmanlispor FK, Turkey); Etebo Oghenekaro (SC Farense, Portugal)
Forwards:
Ahmed Musa (CSKA Moscow, Russia); Moses Simon (KAA Gent, Belgium); Victor Moses (West Ham United, England); Odion Ighalo (Watford FC, England); Alex Iwobi (Arsenal FC, England); Aminu Umar (Osmanlispor FK, Turkey); Aaron Samuel (CSKA Moscow, Russia); Brown Ideye (Olympiakos FC, Greece)
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