VICTOR Osimhen and Stanley Nwabali are conspicuously missing as Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle has named a squad of 23 players for friendly matches against Iran and Jordan.
While there is no explanation for the exclusion of Galatasaray striker Osimhen, unattached Nwabali’s exclusion is apparently due to inactivity since leaving Chippa United in early February.
Chelle has included captain Wilfred Ndidi, midfielder Alex Iwobi and forward Ademola Lookman in the squad for this month’s friendlies, which have now been moved from the Jordanian capital Amman to Antalya in Turkey.
The Super Eagles will take on Iran in Antalya on Friday, March 27 and then Jordan four days later.
Originally scheduled for the 17,000-capacity Amman International Stadium and the 62,000-capacity King Abdullah Sports City Stadium (also in Amman), the games had to be moved to a new venue following the bombing of targets in Iran by the United States and Israel which escalated to a Middle East conflict.
Chelle has also called Italy-based goalkeeper Maduka Okoye, defender Semi Ajayi, midfielder Frank Onyeka, and forwards Simon Moses, Samuel Chukwueze, Akor Adams and Paul Onuachu.
Scotland-based defender Emmanuel Oluwasegun Fernandez is called up for the first time, as are Germany-based forward Philip Otele and KRC Genk of Belgium’s Collins Yira Sor, a former junior international.
Greece-based goal-tender Adeleye Adebayo also returns to the fold.
SUPER EAGLES SQUAD
Goalkeepers:
Maduka Okoye (Udinese FC, Italy); Adeleye Adebayo (Volos FC, Greece); Francis Uzoho (Omonia FC, Cyprus)
Defenders:
Calvin Bassey (Fulham FC, England); Oluwasemilogo Ajayi (Hull City, England); Bright Osayi-Samuel (Birmingham City, England); Bruno Onyemaechi (Olympiakos, Greece); Zaidu Sanusi (FC Porto, Portugal); Igoh Ogbu (Slavia Prague, Czech Republic); Emmanuel Fernandez (Glasgow Rangers, Scotland)
Midfielders:
Alex Iwobi (Fulham FC, England); Frank Onyeka (Coventry FC, England); Wilfred Ndidi (Besiktas FC, Turkey); Raphael Onyedika (Club Brugge, Belgium); Fisayo Dele-Bashiru (SS Lazio, Italy)
Forwards:
Ademola Lookman (Atletico Madrid, Spain); Samuel Chukwueze (Fulham FC, England); Simon Moses (Paris FC, France); Chidera Ejuke (Sevilla FC, Spain); Paul Onuachu (Trabzonspor AS, Turkey); Akor Adams (Sevilla FC, Spain); Philip Otele (Hamburger SV, Germany); Collins Yira Sor (KRC Genk, Belgium)
