• As Eagles battle Togo’s Hawks in Paris
By Chidera Akalonu
Nigeria and Chelsea of England forward Victor Moses has been left out of the Super Eagles squad that will face Bafana Bafana of South Africa in the AFCON 2019 qualifier billed for the Nest of Champions in Uyo on the 10th of June.
Eagles boss, Gernot Rohr also left out China-based Odion Ighalo and Brown Ideye, as well as MFM’s FC duo of Stephen Odey and Sikiru Olatunbosun in the list released yesterday.
Rohr however included Zamalek defender Maroof Youssef in the squad mainly to ease the left full back issues of the team. Akwa United striker Alhassan Ibrahim was the only home based outfield player in the list released by the Franco-German coach.
Chelsea’s Victor Moses was the biggest casualty as the wingback who recently got married was excluded, same as the China based Super Eagles trio of Brown Ideye, Odion Ighalo and captain John Obi Mikel although he is injured. Also included in the squad is KAS Eupen’s striker, Henry Onyekuru and 18-year-old Victor Osimhen.
Meanwhile, The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has assured players based in China that they are still part of future plans, despite none being included in coach Gernot Rohr’s squad to face South Africa.
“The season in China is still ongoing and it will be an hectic journey,” team spokesman Toyin Ibitoye told BBC Sport.
“Coach Rohr has decided to keep faith with the strikers he’s been working with in France for almost ten days now but those players in China are still part of the squad.”
Meanwhile, the Super Eagles will today, take the pitch against the Hawks of Togo in an international friendly in Paris.
Coach Gernot Rohr is using the game, just like last Friday’s session against Corsica Island in Ajaccio, as preparation for the clash against South Africa.
The match against the Hawks will be played at the Stade Municipal de Saint Leu La Foret, Paris starting from 7pm (6pm Nigeria time).
Nigeria squad:
Goalkeepers: Ikechukwu Ezenwa (FC IfeanyiUbah), Dele Alampasu (Cesarense FC, Portugal), Daniel Akpeyi (Chippa United, South Africa)
Defenders: William Troost-Ekong (KAA Gent, Belgium), Abdullahi Shehu (Anorthosis Famagusta, Cyprus), Tyronne Ebuehi (ADO Den Haag, The Netherlands), Elderson Echiejile (Sporting Gijon, Spain), Chidozie Awaziem (FC Porto, Portugal), Maroof Yusuf (Zamalek, Egypt), Kenneth Omeruo (Alanyaspor, Turkey)
Midfielders: Wilfred Ndidi (Leicester City, England), Oghenekaro Etebo (CD Feirense, Portugal), John Ogu (Hapoel Be’er Sheva, Israel), Mikel Agu (Vitoria Setubal, Portugal), Alhassan Ibrahim (Akwa United FC), Ogenyi Onazi (Trabzonspor, Turkey)
Forwards: Ahmed Musa (Leicester City, England), Kelechi Iheanacho (Manchester City, England), Moses Simon (KAA Gent, Belgium), Henry Onyekuru (KAS Eupen, Belgium), Victor Osimhen (Wolfsburg, Germany), Olanrewaju Kayode (Austria Vienna, Austria), Alex Iwobi (Arsenal, England).