Napoli forward, Victor Osimhen; Ogenekaro Etebo of Galatasaray, Turkey, and Gernot Rohr, technical adviser on the Kaiser chiefs Daniel Akpei’s list of 24 Super Eagles players, have been called up for the 2022 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Sierra Leone next month.
Defenders impressed by the friendship in Austria also gave new guys like Kevin Akpoguma and Zaidu Sanusi the opportunity to add their hats.
While Osinhen missed out earlier this month against African champions Algeria and Tunisia due to Kovid-19 fears at the Napoli camp, Etebo and Akpei were sidelined as Rohr continued his experiment with new players.
Common suspects such as captain Ahmed Musa, defender William Trust-Ekong, Kenneth Omeruo, Leon Balogun and Chidozi Awazim are in the squad to fight the Leon Stars.
Alex Iwobi and forward Moses Simon, Samuel Chukweze and Chidera Ejuke are in the 24-man squad for the Benin City tour.
Roher also listed seven players on standby. Including they; Defender Abdullahi Shehu, goalkeeper Francis Uzoho, midfielders Ramon Aziz and Samson Tizani, and forward Paul.
Glasgow Rangers Joe Ayodele-Aribo also reminded the team. The young boy signaled his new form over the weekend with a stunning goal for the Scottish Premiership team.
Akpei’s return is expected to provoke competition with the Sparta Rotterdam Safe Hands number one shirt, Maduka Okoye and Francis Ujoho. Uzoho is returning to the side a year later due to injury.
In place of Uzoho on the 24-man roster, Rohr invited Switzerland goalkeeper Sebastian Osigue for his first hat-trick with Nigeria.
The Super Eagles will face the Leon Stars at the newly renovated Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin City on Friday, November 13, and will travel to Freetown on Tuesday, November 17 for the return game at Siaka Stevens Stadium.
NFF Communications Director Ademola Olazier said all invited players will report to the Protia Hotel Emoton in Benin on Monday, November 9th.
Success in both encounters guarantees Nigeria a slot in the 2022 Africa Cup of Nations finals in Cameroon.