Chelsea star, Victor Moses is the most conspicuous absentee in Coach Gernot Rohr’s list of players for Nigeria’s last World Cup qualifying game against Algeria and the international friendly with Argentina in Russia next month.
The Chelsea right wingback, who has been nursing a hamstring injury for over three weeks, has not trained with the London club since October 14 when he was injured in a game against Crystal Palace. But he seems to be getting back to fitness, although not enough to play in Chelsea’s Champions League game against Roma today.
In the list released by Rohr are three debutants, Tyrone Ebuehi, a defender, Chidiebere Nwakali and Francis Uzoho. Three other players are on standby, including former super regular, Kenneth Omeruo.
Skipper John Mikel Obi leads the squad that also includes his deputy, Ogenyi Onazi, thus rubbishing the rumour that Rohr would use the game against Algeria to try out players that have not had a look in into the side.
The three goalkeepers in the squad are Ikechukwu Ezenwa, Daniel Akpeyi and Francis Uzoho, while the defenders are William Ekong, Abdullahi Shehu, Tyronne Ebuehi, Leon Balogun, Uche Agbo, Chidozie Awaziem and Olaoluwa Aina.
The midfield has Mikel John Obi, Ogenyi Onazi, Wilfred Ndidi, Oghenekaro Etebo, John Ogu, Mikel Agu, Chidiebere and Nwakali.
To contest for starting shirts in attack are Ahmed Musa, Kelechi Iheanacho, Moses Simon, Alex Iwobi, Odion Ighalo, Henry Onyekuru and Anthony Nwakaeme.
Joining Omeruo in the standby list are Alhassan Ibrahim and Russian-Nigerian, Brian Idowu.
The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) said yesterday that all the invited players are expected to arrive in a camp in Morocco next week Monday before the delegation flies to Constantine on November 9.
It added that the Super Eagles will fly to Krasnodar, Russia from Constantine on November 11 on a 45–seater chartered aircraft for the international friendly against Argentina, which will hold on November 14.