Nigeria have recalled Obafemi Martins for next month’s World Cup qualifier against Swaziland, but Manchester City starlet Kelechi Iheanacho has again been overlooked by coach Sunday Oliseh.
Martins has been on superb form for Seattle sounders in the MLS, scoring 15 goals in the regular season, but he last played for Nigeria in November 2012 in a friendly against Venezuela.
Speculations were rife 18-year-old Iheanacho would also be considered for the Swaziland qualifiers after his recent exploits at EPL outfit Manchester City.
The squad is mainly made up of are from selected from recent friendlies against DR Congo and Cameroon in Belgium.
However, several players from the team who qualified the country for next year’s CHAN have been picked – Ikechukwu Ezenwa, Paul Onobi (Sunshine Stars), Kalu orji (Enugu Rangers), Austin Oboroakpo (Abia Warriors), Chima Akas (Sharks) and Ezekiel Bassey (Enyimba).
The first leg of the World Cup eliminator will be played on November 13 in Lobambo.
The full squad:
Goalkeepers: Carl Ikeme (Wolverhampton Wanderers, England); Ikechukwu Ezenwa (Sunshine Stars); Dele Alampasu (Club de Sportivo Feirense, Portugal)
Defenders: Abdullahi Shehu (Uniao da Madeira, Portugal); Kalu Orji (Enugu Rangers FC); Elderson Echiejile (AS Monaco, France); Chima Akas (Sharks FC); Leon Balogun (FSV Mainz, Germany); Godfrey Oboabona (Caykur Rizespor, Turkey); Efe Ambrose (Celtic FC, Scotland); Austin Oboroakpo (Abia Warriors)
Midfielders: Ogenyi Onazi (SS Lazio, Italy); Paul Onobi (Sunshine Stars); John Mikel Obi (Chelsea FC, England); Rabiu Ibrahim (AS Trencin, Slovakia); Wilfred Ndidi (KRC Genk, Belgium); Sylvester Igbonu (FC UFA, Russia)
Forwards: Ahmed Musa (CSKA Moscow, Russia); Moses Simon (KAA Gent, Belgium); Odion Ighalo (Watford FC, England); Ezekiel Bassey (Enyimba FC); Alex Iwobi (Arsenal FC, England); Obafemi Martins (Seattle Sounders, USA)