Ighalo Out as Rohr Recalls Omeruo, Others for Zambia

Femi Solaja

As expected, all the notable Nigerian players in top-form have been listed in the 23-man squad by the Super Eagles’ Technical Adviser, Gernot Rohr, for next month’s 2018 FIFA World Cup Qualifying Match-day 1 clash with Zambia’s Chipolopolo in Ndola.

The Franco-German retained belief in the squad that pipped Tanzania 1-0 in a 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match in Uyo on September 3, but has added Alanyaspor of Turkey defender, Kenneth Omeruo, Belgium-based midfielder Anderson Esiti and English Premiership duo of Isaac Success and Alex Iwobi.

Skipper John Mikel Obi and his assistant Ahmed Musa, goalkeeper Carl Ikeme, defender Elderson Echiejile, midfielder Ogenyi Onazi and in-form Manchester City of England forward, Kelechi Iheanacho, are in the 23-man roster.

Only Watford FC forward, Odion Ighalo was excused by Rohr as the player plans to attend his father’s burial in Nigeria on Saturday, 8th October – eve of the big match at the Levy Nwanawasa Stadium in Ndola.
Injured KAA Gent of Belgium striker Moses Simon is listed after assuring Coach Rohr that he has started treatment and would be fully healed well ahead of the encounter.

All invited players are expected to start arriving in Abuja as from Sunday, 2nd October.
ALL THE INVITED PLAYERS
Goalkeepers: Carl Ikeme (Wolverhampton Wanderers, England); Emmanuel Daniel (Enugu Rangers); Ikechukwu Ezenwa (FC IfeanyiUbah)

Defenders: Leon Balogun (FSV Mainz 05, Germany); William Paul Ekong (Haugesund FC, Norway); Kenneth Omeruo (Alanyaspor FC, Turkey); Jamiu Alimi (Kano Pillars); Abdullahi Shehu (Anorthosis Famagusta, Cyprus); Musa Muhammed (Istanbul Basaksehir, Turkey); Elderson Echiejile (Standard Liege, Belgium), Kingsley Madu (SV Zulte Waregem, Belgium)

Midfielders: Mikel John Obi (Chelsea FC, England); Ogenyi Onazi (Trabzonspor, Turkey); Wilfred Ndidi (KRC Genk, Belgium); Nosa Igiebor (Maccabi Tel Aviv, Israel); Anderson Esiti (KAA Gent, Belgium)

Forwards: Ahmed Musa (Leicester City, England); Kelechi Iheanacho (Manchester City, England); Moses Simon (KAA Gent, Belgium); Victor Moses (Chelsea FC, England); Isaac Success (Watford FC, England); Brown Ideye (Olympiacos FC, Greece); Alex Iwobi (Arsenal FC, England)