John Obi Mikel has, again, been left out of the Super Eagles team as Gernot Rohr called up 23 players for a 2019 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against South Africa on 17 November.
The same group of players would feature in a friendly with Uganda’s Cranes at the Stephen Keshi Stadium, Asaba, three days later.
Nigeria lead Group E on nine points, and will book a place in next year’s tournament in Cameroon if they defeat the second-placed Bafana Bafana in Johannesburg.
And despite scoring for Tianjin Teda in their 4-2 defeat to Shanghai Shenhua in the Chinese Super league on Sunday, Rohr did not consider the former Chelsea midfielder for the aforementioned games.
Mikel has not featured for the Eagles since he led them to the World Cup in Russia, where the three-time African champions failed to progress beyond the group phase.
Rohr, based on the list released on Monday, retained most of the players that prosecuted the back-to-back wins against Libya this month, and recalled former U17 World Cup–winning striker Victor Osimhen.
The German also handed another U17 World Cup winning forward Samuel Chukwueze his first call.
All the invited players are expected to report in Asaba on Monday, 12 November.
THE FULL LIST
Goalkeepers: Francis Uzoho (Elche FC, Spain); Ikechukwu Ezenwa (Enyimba FC); Daniel Akpeyi (Chippa United, South Africa).
Defenders: Olaoluwa Aina (Torino FC, Italy); Adeleye Aniyikaye (FC Ifeanyi Ubah); Semi Ajayi (Rotherham United, England); Bryan Idowu (Lokomotiv Moscow, Russia); William Ekong (Udinese FC, Italy); Leon Balogun (Brighton & Hove Albion, England); Kenneth Omeruo (CD Leganes, Spain); Jamilu Collins (SC Paderborn 07, Germany).
Midfielders: Oghenekaro Etebo (Stoke City FC, England); John Ogu (Hapoel Be’er Sheva, Israel); Mikel Agu (Vitoria Setubal FC, Portugal).
Forwards: Ahmed Musa (Al Nasr FC, Saudi Arabia); Kelechi Iheanacho (Leicester City, England); Moses Simon (Levante FC, Spain); Victor Osimhen (Royal Charleroi SC, Belgium); Odion Ighalo (Changchun Yatai, China); Alex Iwobi (Arsenal FC, England); Samuel Kalu (Bordeaux FC, France); Isaac Success (Watford FC, England); Samuel Chukwueze (Villarreal FC, Spain).
Standby: Henry Onyekuru (Galatasaray SK, Turkey); Chidozie Awaziem (FC Porto, Portugal); Nyima Nwagua (Kano Pillars FC); Sunday Adetunji (Enyimba FC); Junior Lokosa (Kano Pillars FC).
Tag: eagles
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Again, Mikel missing as Rohr invites 23 Eagles for S/Africa showdown
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AFCON 2019: Eagles ready for Bafana Bafana clash – Uzoho
Ahead of next month’s crucial AFCON 2019 qualifier against the Bafana Bafana of South Africa, Super Eagles’ first choice goalie, Francis Uzoho has revealed the team is now beaming with so much confidence and will be ready for the challenge of coach Stuart Baxter’s boys, AOIFootball.com reports.
Uzoho, who is yet to taste a defeat in the qualifiers after keeping two clean sheets, further admitted that the team will take the South Africa game with all seriousness.
“We will take the game against South Africa seriously because we have never underrated any team we have come up against.
We know it won’t be an easy game but we are ready for them,” Uzoho said.
The on-loan Doportivo La Coruna shot-stopper, who is yet to start a match for Elche in the league will be hoping his national team form will earn him another appearance for the club, having been in goal already in the Copa del Rey.
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Eagles will overthrow Libya In Group E today – Etebo boasts
Stoke of England midfielder Oghenekaro Etebo remains upbeat that the Super Eagles will defeat Libya to take over Group E after both teams clash on Saturday (today) in a 2019 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier.
“We know the importance of the match. We know it is a must-win for us, if we want to be in Cameroon
next year,” the Stoke City midfielder offered.
“We are working hard to achieve our target, the players, coaches. Yes, it’s not going to come easy.
Libya are strong, so we are not expecting them to be here for sight-seeing.
“They too, want to go to the Nations Cup but we are determined to win”.
Kick-off time is 4pm in Uyo. -
Russia 2018: Eagles not setting World Cup target – Iwobi
Arsenal forward Alex Iwobi has said the Super Eagles will not set a set a target for themselves at the upcoming Russia 2018 World Cup but is hopeful the team can advance from Group D of the competition.
Iwobi scored his first goal for the Eagles as Nigeria beat hosts Zambia 2-1 to open their Group B African qualifiers for Russia 2018 on a winning note.
He would then hand the Eagles their sixth World Cup ticket when he scored the only goal against the Chipolopolo in Uyo to ensure the three-time African champions became the first African side to book a ticket to Russia with a game to spare.
Iwobi scored twice as the Eagles earned a comprehensive 4-2 win over Argentina last October in Krasnodar but he admitted that they were in a difficult group that has the two-time world champions Croatia and Iceland.
“No doubt, we are in a very tough group but we are going to work hard to qualify from the group. We have a great team, so we have no reason to fear because we’ve got what it takes to make it,” he added.
“We are not setting targets but we are confident we can come out of the group. With our fans behind us, we can go far at the tournament. I don’t have personal targets as well, it’s my first World Cup and I can’t wait to play at the World Cup.”
Asked if the Eagles, who have been beaten four times at the World Cup by the Argentines, can repeat the Krasnodar performance against the South Americans again in Russia, Iwobi added, “We are confident we can repeat that at the World Cup. We were unbeaten in the World Cup qualifiers and we are confident and have young talent, who want to prove themselves any time they are on the pitch.”
The 22-year-old, who arrived the Eagles camp in Uyo on Monday aboard a Peace Airline accompanied by his father, Chuka, described the departure of Arsenal manager, Arsene Wenger, as “depressing.”
The Frenchman was a key figure in Iwobi’s rise and has been a major source of motivation the Nigerian forward since handing him his Gunners debut in 2015.
“The fact that he’s going is depressing; he gave me confidence to become who I am today,” Iwobi added.
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Poland friendly: Eagles stars commence training in Wroclaw
The Eagles Radison Blu Hotel camp in Wroclaw has become a very active place since the Super Eagles lodged there on Monday.
The camp was opened on Monday by the Technical and Backroom staff, alongside six players.
The other Players that arrived on Tuesday are;
Francis Uzoho———Goalkeeper
Kenneth Omeruo——-Defender
Elderson Echuejile——Defender
Stephen Eze————–Defender
Abdullahi Shehu———Defender
Chidozie Awaziem——-Defender
Joel Obi——————– Midfielder
John Ogu—————— Midfielder
Ogenyi Onazi————Midfielder
Uche Ogu—————–Midfielder
Wilfred Ndidi————Midfielder
Ahmed Musa————Forwards
Moses Simon————-Forwards
Odion Ighalo————-Forwards
Kelechi Iheanacho——-Forwards
Victor Moses————-Forwards.
Nigeria-based goalkeeper Ikechukwu Ezenwa and South Africa-based Akpeyi are expected today.
The team trained twice yesterday, with the same schedule for today, before Thursday training at match time inside the Municipal stadium in Wroclaw.
The match kicks off at 8:45 pm (Nigeria and Poland are on same time zone) on Friday.
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CHAN: Home Eagles to arrive from Morocco on Tuesday
The Home Eagles of Nigeria will arrive in Lagos in the early hours of Tuesday from Morocco after losing 4-0 to the hosts in Sunday’s African Nations Championship (CHAN) final in Casablanca.
The team, according to reports will depart Casablanca airport 12 midnight on Monday aboard Air Maroc.
Nigeria reached their first CHAN final on Sunday, surpassing the third-place finish they achieved in 2014.
But hosts Morocco were in devastating form in what was also their own first final, thrashing a 10-man Nigeria team 4-0.
A brace from Zakaria Hadraf and goals from Walid El Karti and the tournament top scorer, Ayoub El Kaabi secured the title for Morocco on Sunday.
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CHAN 2018: Eagles go for Equatorial Guinea jugular
The CHAN Super Eagles will be aiming to avoid elimination from the 2018 African Nations Championship (CHAN) tournament with victory over Equatorial Guinea at the Stade Adrar in Agadir this evening.The Super Eagles head into the clash atop Group C with four points from two matches and know that a second successive win will seal heir place in the knockout stages of the continental showpiece, no matter the result between Rwanda and Libya in Tangier.Nigeria followed a goalless draw against the Amavubi with a narrow 1-0 win over 2014 CHAN champions Libya. Sunday Faleye netted the only goal of the game in the 79th minute of the match.Head coach Salisu Yusuf was happy with his team’s tactical discipline in victory over Rwanda last time out, but was quick to highlight the importance of their impending clash against Nzalang Nacional who have nothing but pride to play for.“Our strategy to close down their [Libya’s] space worked,” Yusuf said. “We watched their games and they’re a good possession team, good with the ball. “Closing down the space gave us the advantage. “We look forward to the next game with humility and discipline.We have to work hard – very hard – to beat Equatorial Guinea. It won’t be easy,” he concluded. Equatorial Guinea have endured a tough tournament in Morocco with a 3-0 defeat to Libya followed by a 1-0 loss to Rwanda, as they duly suffered a premature exit from the competition.Head coach Rodolfo Bodipo, though, is not ready to throw in the towel just yet and has called on his troops to give their all against a much favoured Nigeria unit. “We have a young team and we are doing well,” said Bodipo. “We have gained a lot of experience. Our goal was to learn from this experience. Even if we are eliminated, we will play hard against Nigeria.” -
We’ll allow Eagles see their wives, girlfriends in Russia – Rohr
Super Eagles Coach, Gernot Rohr has said players of the national team will have access to their wives and girlfriends on designated days at the 2018 World Cup in Russia.
Previously, there had been controversies surrounding roles of wives and girlfriends of the players at major competitions, when the team performed poorly.
Asked if he would allow the players to see their wives and girlfriends, Rohr said he won’t deny them access to their ‘families.”
“Normally, every team give a day for the players to see their families. It can be their wives or children. When you stay together for six weeks, it’s possible to permit them to see their wives on certain days,” the German stated in Lagos, shortly after sealing a new two-year deal as Eagles coach.
He expressed confidence that the Eagles stood a chance of advancing from Group D of the World Cup, which also has two-time champions Argentina and European sides Croatia and Iceland.
“I think we have a good chance to come out of the group. We can beat Iceland, Croatia and even Argentina, though it’s not an advantage that we beat them in a friendly match (in November 2017) because they won’t underrate us now,” he said.
On the fitness of the players ahead of the Mundial, the former Burkina Faso coach said, “We are depending on the work they do at their clubs because the time is too short (for us) to make them fit for the World Cup. So, they have to play at their clubs.
“We have a relationship with the coaches of their clubs. I spoke to Arsene Wenger on Alex Iwobi’s problem. I was happy at the way Wenger managed the issue by using him in the next game and he played very well.
“Our first list of 35 players must be done one month before the World Cup. We have five scouting teams working on the players; they also work on our opponents.”
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CHAN 2018: Peterside task home-based Eagles to win tournament
Ex-Super Eagles keeper, Idah Peterside on Monday urged home-based Super Eagles to win the 2018 African Nations Championship (CHAN).
Nigeria is in group C with 2014 champions, Libya, Rwanda and Equatorial Guinea. The tournament, organised by the Confederation of African Football (CAF), will run from Jan. 12 to Feb.4 in Morocco.
Peterside told TheNewsGuru on the telephone from Johannesburg, South Africa, that the home-based team had potentials to do well in the tournament.
He urged the team to work hard to win the championship for Nigeria.
“ In 2014, the home-based Super Eagles won bronze. I believe the present team can do the country proud and they should realize that Nigerians are solidly behind them,” he said.
Peterside, also an ex-Sharks FC and Enyimba International of Aba keeper, urged the team to win their first match.
“ There is no perfect team. I believe that they will get better as the tournament goes on. Their first game is key, they must win their first game and they will continue to get better,” he said.
According to him, players who distinguished themselves in the tournament may be invited to the World Cup team or attract the attention of foreign clubs.
“ Though the CHAN tournament is for the home-based players in the continent, it is also an avenue to scout for good players. To our team, players with good outings may be invited to the main Super Eagles World Cup team.
“ Also, foreign clubs will send scouts to monitor players performance during the tournament. The lucky ones may get such clubs. We really do wish the team all the best,” Peterside said.
The championship is organised for players playing in their domestic league.
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CHAN Eagles edge out MFM in thrilling NPFL Invitational final
African Nations Championship (CHAN) bound Super Eagles claimed the 2017 Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) with a 3-2 win over MFM FC at the Sani Abacha Stadium in Kano on Sunday.
Last season’s top scorer in the NPFL Anthony Okpotu scored twice and his Lobi teammate Kingsley Eduwo added a third for the Super Eagles before MFM made it a nervy last five minutes through goals from Jonathan Zikiye and Chuka Uwaga.
The showpiece game of the pre-season tournament was already looking like a borefest that will not produce goals until the stroke of half time when Okpotu expertly lobbed the ball from Peter Eneji’s inch perfect pass over MFM goalkeeper Abayomi Folarin.
However before then the MFM goalkeeper had to deny Rabiu Ali on two occasions inside the last 15 minutes of the first period. First he blocked Ali from close range and then followed up with a finger tip save to deny the Eagles midfielder from toe-poking the ball beyond him.
But Folarin could not keep out the Eagles attack for long. Twenty four minutes into the restart Okpotu scored his second of the contest to put day light between Salisu Yusuf’s men and MFM after calming picking his spot off Nura Mohammed’s pass.
Okpotu then made way for Eduwo, who needed just four minutes of his introduction to the game to score a third for the Super Eagles. Again, Nura Mohammed was the provider as the Eagles looked home and dry.
MFM head coach Fidelis Ilechukwu turned to one of his youngsters Abayomi Lawal and the attacker’s pace did unsettle the Eagles’ defence.
The late surge began on 86 minutes when left-back Jonathan Zikiye who was impressive throughout the game pulled one back for MFM and fans watching from the stands felt it was too little, too late.
Ilechukwu’s team were not done yet. On 90 minutes, Uwaga popped up to head in from the near post past Eagles goalkeeper Theophilus Afelokhai off a corner to set up a nervy end in stoppage time.
MFM had one last chance to level matters in Kano but Lawal just could not keep his attempt on target as the Super Eagles head off to CHAN billed to hold in Morocco as champions of the NPFL Invitational.