Nigeria coach Gernot Rohr has announced a list of 30 preselected players for the 2018 World Cup in Russia (14 June-15 July).
The Franco-German technician decided to do without forwards Brown Ideye, Victor Osimhen and Henry Onyekuru, but he gave Simeon Nwankwo and Junior Lokosa a chance.
The 2018 World Cup is approaching and Nigeria has presented some of its weapons for the finals in Russia (June 14-July 15), May 14, 2018. The Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) has indeed unveiled a preselection of 30 players, in preparation for a preparation match against DR Congo, May 25 in Uyo.
Gernot Rohr, the coach of the “Super Eagles”, should take the opportunity to test two new strikers: Simeon Nwankwo who had a good season with Crotone in Italy, and Junior Lokosa top scorer of the Nigerian championship with Kano Pillars.
The Franco-German technician has decided to do without several more experienced attackers, such as Brown Ideye or Henry Onyekuru. The first pays a disappointing half-season in Malaga (Spain), while the second returns from a long injury and has not played with Anderlecht (Belgium) in recent months.
After a test run against the DRC, Nigerians will beat the British in London (2 June) and the Czechs in Austria (6 June). In the meantime, Rohr has reduced his list to 23 names to face Croatia (16 June), Iceland (22 June) and Argentina (26 June), in Group D of the 2018 World Cup.
WORLD CUP 2018: THE PRESELECTION OF NIGERIA
Goalkeepers:
Ikechukwu Ezenwa (Enyimba/Nigeria),
Francis Uzoho (Deportivo La Coruna/Spain),
Daniel Akpeyi (Chippa United/South Africa),
Dele Ajiboye (United Plateau/Nigeria).
Defenders:
Abdullahi Shehu (Bursaspor/Turkey),
Tyronne Ebuehi (Ado The Hague/The Netherlands),
Olaoluwa Aina (Hull City/England),
Elderson Echiejile (Circle Bruges/Belgium),
Brian Idowu (Amkar Perm/Russia),
Chidozie Awaziem (Nantes/France),
William Ekong (Bursaspor/Turkey),
Leon Balogun (Mainz/Germany),
Kenneth Omeruo (Kasimpasa/Turkey),
Stephen Eze (Lokomotiv Plovdiv/Bulgaria).
Midfielders:
Mikel John Obi (Tianjin Teda/China),
Ogenyi Onazi (Trabzonspor/Turkey),
Wilfred Ndidi (Leicester/England),
Oghenekaro Etebo (Las Palmas/Spain),
John Ogu (Hapoel Beer Sheva/Israel),
Uche Agbo (Standard Liege/Belgium),
Joel Obi (Torino/Italy),
Mikel Agu (Bursaspor/Turkey).
Attackers:
Ahmed Musa (CSKA Moscow/Russia),
Kelechi Iheanacho (Leicester / England),
Moses Simon (Giant/Belgium),
Victor Moses (Chelsea/England),
Odion Ighalo (Changchun Yatai/China),
Alex Iwobi (Arsenal/England),
Nwankwo Simeon (Crotone/Italy),
Junior Lokosa (Kano Pillars/Nigeria).
