Nigeria drop Yakubu Aiyegbeni, Martins
Everton striker Yakubu Aiyegbeni and Obafemi Martins of Wolfsburg
have not been picked by Nigeria for next month's crunch World Cup
qualifier against Tunisia in Abuja.
Nigeria coach, Shuaibu Amodu, who announced Friday a 21-man squad for
the Group Two qualifier on September 6, said he left out both strikers
because they are yet to attain full match fitness after recovering from
injuries.
However, Amodu has recalled Hoffenheim forward Chinedu Obasi for the
Tunisia clash. He said he was delighted Obasi has recovered from an
injury which prevented him from being part of the Super Eagles matches
in June.
"I'm happy that Obasi is back from injury. He will be a valuable
addition to the team," Amodu said.
Amodu will also decide on two more call-ups by Monday. He said he has
to choose between England-based defender Danny Shittu and Obinna Nwaneri,
who features for FC Sion in Switzerland, as well as between forwards
Joseph Akpala from Club Brugge and John Utaka, who plays for Portsmouth.
Tunisia lead the group with seven points from three matches, two
points ahead of second-placed Nigeria.
Nigeria squad:
Goalkeepers: Austin Ejide (Bastia/FRA), Vincent Enyeama (Hapoel
Tel Aviv/ISR), Dele Aiyenugba (Bnei-Yehuda/ISR)
Defenders: Onyekachi Apam (Nice/FRA), Elderson Echiejile (Rennes/FRA),
Adefemi Olubayo (Boulogne/FRA), Taye Taiwo (Olympique Marseille/FRA)
Joseph Yobo (Everton/ENG),Dele Adeleye (Sparta Rotterdam/NED), Oluwafemi
Ajilore (Groningen/NED)
Midfielders: John Mikel Obi (Chelsea/ENG), Sani Kaita (Rubin
Kazan/RUS), Yusuf Ayila (Dynamo Kiev/UKR), Seyi Olofinjana (Hull
City/ENG), Kalu Uche (Almeria/SPA)
Strikers: Nwankwo Kanu (Portsmouth/ENG), Chinedu Ogbuke (Hoffenheim/GER),
Osaze Odemwingie (Locomotiv Moscow/RUS), Obinna Nsofor (Inter Milan/ITA),
Michael Eneramo (Esperance/TUN), Ikechukwu Uche (Real Zaragoza/SPA)
LAGOS, AFP
|