Nigeria coach, Gernot Rohr has listed captain John Mikel Obi, Ahmed Musa and defenders, Kenneth Omeruo and Abdullahi Shehu in a 25-man squad to prepare for the 32nd Africa Cup of Nations finals in Egypt with six other players on standby.
Mikel Obi captained the team at the 2018 FIFA World Cup finals in Russia last year, but has not been with the group since Nigeria’s elimination from the finals after defeat to Argentina.
A recent meeting with the national team Coach in the United Kingdom sealed his return to the three–time African champions, with the possibility of adding to his 85 international caps.
Rohr has kept faith with the players who earned a ticket to the AFCON finals with a match to spare, with goalkeeper Francis Uzoho, defenders Leon Balogun and William Ekong, midfielders Oghenekaro Etebo and Wilfred Ndidi and forwards Odion Ighalo, Alex Iwobi and Moses Simon also on the list.
Nigeria play Burundi, Guinea and Madagascar in Group B of the Africa Cup of Nations taking place in Egypt.
Super eagles preliminary list
Goalkeepers:
- Francis Uzoho
- Ikechukwu Ezenwa
- Daniel Akpeyi
Defenders:
- Olaoluwa Aina
- Abdullahi Shehu
- Chidozie Awaziem
- William Ekong
- Leon Balogun
- Kenneth Omeruo
- Jamilu Collins
- Semi Ajayi
Midfielders:
- Mikel John Obi
- Wilfred Ndidi
- Oghenekaro Etebo
- John Ogu
Forwards:
- Ahmed Musa
- Victor Osimhen
- Moses Simon
- Henry Onyekuru
- Odion Ighalo
- Alexander Iwobi
- Samuel Kalu
- Paul Onuachu
- Kelechi Iheanacho
- Samuel Chukwueze
- Odion Ighalo
- Alexander Iwobi
- Samuel Kalu
- Paul Onuachu
- Kelechi Iheanacho
- Samuel Chukwueze
Standby:
- Theophilus Afelokhai
- Bryan Idowu
- Ikouwem Utin
- Mikel Agu
- Junior Ajayi
- Valentine Ozornwafor.