Nigeria name squad for World Cup qualifier

Nigeria coach Gernot Rohr has announced his squad for the World Cup qualifier against Zambia next month, with Watford striker Odion Ighalo allowed to miss the match.

Ighalo has been excused from the Super Eagles’ squad to attend his father’s burial on 8 October, a day before Nigeria take on the Zambians in Ndola.

Rohr has included Ighalo’s club mate Isaac Success as well as defender Kenneth Omeruo who is on loan at Turkish club Alanyaspor from English side Chelsea.

Mikel John Obi will skipper the 23-man squad which includes big names such as in-form Manchester City striker Kelechi Iheanacho, Leicester City’s Ahmed Musa and midfielder Ogenyi Onazi.

Super Eagles squad to face Zambia:

Goalkeepers: Carl Ikeme (Wolverhampton Wanderers, England); Emmanuel Daniel (Enugu Rangers); Ikechukwu Ezenwa (FC IfeanyiUbah)

Defenders: Leon Balogun (FSV Mainz 05, Germany); William Paul Ekong (Haugesund FC, Norway); Kenneth Omeruo (Alanyaspor FC, Turkey); Jamiu Alimi (Kano Pillars); Abdullahi Shehu (Anorthosis Famagusta, Cyprus); Musa Muhammed (Istanbul Basaksehir, Turkey); Elderson Echiejile (Standard Liege, Belgium), Kingsley Madu (SV Zulte Waregem, Belgium)

Midfielders: Mikel John Obi (Chelsea FC, England); Ogenyi Onazi (Trabzonspor, Turkey); Wilfred Ndidi (KRC Genk, Belgium); Nosa Igiebor (Maccabi Tel Aviv, Israel); Anderson Esiti (KAA Gent, Belgium)

Forwards: Ahmed Musa (Leicester City, England); Kelechi Iheanacho (Manchester City, England); Moses Simon (KAA Gent, Belgium); Victor Moses (Chelsea FC, England); Isaac Success (Watford FC, England); Brown Ideye (Olympiacos FC, Greece); Alex Iwobi (Arsenal FC, England)