Nigeria coach Sunday Oliseh has invited 23 players from the domestic league to begin camp ahead of next month’s Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match against Tanzania in Dar es Salam.
A few players were retained from Stephen Keshi’s era including Warri Wolves’ Gbolahan Salami, Solomon Kwambe and Nelson Ogbonnaya, while current NPFL leading scorer Tunde Adeniji of Sunshine Stars and Heartland’s Bright Ejike have been handed a first time call up.
The new manager, Goal reports, has called up goalkeepers Olufemi Thomas and Ikechukwu Ezenwa in the absence of Daniel Akpeyi who has recently moved to Chippa United in South Africa.
Akpeyi has been touted as a future successor to Vincent Enyeama since his heroics denied Bafana Bafana a crucial victory in a friendly in Durban last March.
This camp is expected to throw up at least five players that will be joined by Europe-based players for the September 5 encounter against Tanzania.
All players have been asked to report to camp in Abuja by Monday, August 17.
FULL LIST
GOALKEEPERS: Olufemi Thomas (Enyimba FC); David Obiazor (Heartland FC); Ikechukwu Ezenwa (Sunshine Stars)
DEFENDERS: Orji Kalu (Enugu Rangers); Solomon Kwambe (Warri Wolves); Idris Aloma (Enyimba FC); Chima Akas (Sharks FC); Nelson Ogbonnaya (Heartland FC); Samson Gbadebo (Lobi Stars); Jamiu Alimi (Shooting Stars); Stephen Eze (Sunshine Stars)
MIDFIELDERS: Ifeanyi Mathew (El-Kanemi Warriors); Usman Mohammed (FC Taraba); Azubuike Okechukwu (Bayelsa United); Lawson Ichul (Warri Wolves); Kingsley Sokari (Enyimba FC); Etebo Oghenekaro (Warri Wolves)
FORWARDS: Ezekiel Bassey (Enyimba FC); Gbolahan Salami (Warri Wolves); Bright Ejike (Heartland FC); Tunde Adeniji (Sunshine Queens); Bright Onyedikachi (FC IfeanyiUbah); Prince Aggrey (Sunshine Stars)
Posted by Janice Johnson
