QATAR 2022: AWONIYI MISSING AS IGHALO RETURNS TO SUPER EAGLES

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Super Eagles list

According to the statement of the Nigeria football federation media department, 2019 AFCON top scorer Odion Ighalo has been recalled by coach Gernot Rohr for Nigeria’s closing group C games against Liberia and Cape Verde.

Ighalo who announced his retirement from the international game following that AFCON feat in Egypt is back after what seems like a persuasion from the The NFF boss and the coach Rohr.

Coach Gernot Rohr has also listed team captain Ahmed Musa, deputy captain William Ekong, defenders Kenneth Omeruo and Leon Balogun, midfielders Wilfred Ndidi and Alex Iwobi, forwards Moses Simon and Victor Osumhen, as well as 16 others for Nigeria’s closing Group C games of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 African race against Liberia and Cape Verde this month.

Missing on the list is 24 year old Union Berlin striker Taiwo Awoniyi who is in top form with his club with 7 league goals so far in the German Bundesliga.

The Super Eagles will tackle the Lone Star of Liberia at the Grand Stade Tangier in Morocco on Saturday, 13th November and then fly into Lagos for the final group game against Cape Verde’s Blue Sharks at the Teslim Balogun Stadium on Tuesday, 16th November.

Top of their pool with nine points but hotly chased by seven-pointer Cape Verde who host Central African Republic on the island of Mindelo, the Eagles need the three points against the Lone Star on the neutral turf of Morocco’s principal northern city to remain on firm ground when hosting the Blue Sharks three days later in Nigeria’s commercial and industrial capital.

Leicester City of England’s midfield enforcer Wilfred Ndidi, who missed the last round of games home-and-away against Central African Republic, is back in the trough, just as fellow Premiership boy Alex Iwobi and Spain-based forward Samuel Chukwueze.

The invited players and overseas-based members of the technical crew are to report directly to the city of Tangier on Monday, 8th November while technical officials from Nigeria are to report in Tangier the same day.

Full list:

Goalkeepers: Francis Uzoho (AC Omonia, Cyprus); Daniel Akpeyi (Kaizer Chiefs, South Africa); Maduka Okoye (Sparta Rotterdam, The Netherlands)

Defenders: Chidozie Awaziem (Alanyaspor FC, Turkey); Kenneth Omeruo (CD Leganes, Spain); Leon Balogun (Glasgow Rangers, Scotland); William Ekong (Watford FC, England); Olaoluwa Aina (Torino FC, Italy); Jamilu Collins (SC Padeborn 07, Germany); Abdullahi Shehu (AC Omonia, Cyprus); Zaidu Sanusi (FC Porto, Portugal); Kevin Akpoguma (TSG Hoffenheim, Germany)

Midfielders: Frank Onyeka (Brentford FC, England); Joseph Ayodele-Aribo (Galsgow Rangers, Scotland); Wilfred Ndidi (Leicester City, England); Alex Iwobi (Everton FC, England); Kelechi Iheanacho (Leicester City, England)

Forwards: Ahmed Musa (Fatih Karagumruk, Turkey); Samuel Chukwueze (Villarreal FC, Spain); Victor Osimhen (Napoli FC, Italy); Moses Simon (FC Nantes, France); Paul Onuachu (KRC Genk, Belgium); Chidera Ejuke (CSKA Moscow, Russia); Odion Jude Ighalo (Al-Shabab Riyadh, Saudi Arabia)

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IGHALO MAY QUIT WATFORD

Ighalo

Striker Odion Ighalo has not completely ruled out a departure from Watford who will play in the English Premier League next season depending on the way contract negotiations go, he has told Goal.

The 25-year-old Nigerian scored 20 goals in the Championship to help the team secure promotion to the lucrative Premiership last term.

Two weeks ago he scored his first senior goal for the Super Eagles as they defeated Chad 2-0 in their opening 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying game in Kaduna and is high on confidence.

Swansea have been reported to be keen on securing the striker’s signature.

“I have two years contract with Watford. But in football you can never say never. Things happen just in a minute,” Ighalo told Goal.

“I love the club and I love the fans too. They love me too and I am happy and the fans really helped me to settle down fast in Watford.

“Although, we are still negotiating for a new contract for the Premier League because the club is still talking to my agent.

“If they come to a conclusion fine, if not then we will see what happens. I know some teams are interested in me but we will see what happens at the end of the day,” he said.

If he stays with the newly promoted side, Ighalo’s mission would be to help them consolidate their place at the top.

“I would say my target for the season is Watford to remain in the Premiership because I know it won’t be easy. But I am determined to help the club with the rest of my teammates to remain in the Premiership, that would be great for us,” he concluded.