Ighalo, Balogun return as Rohr unveils squad for Algeria battle

Watford of England striker, Odion Ighalo and Germany –based defender Leon Balogun make a return to the Super Eagles as Super Eagles’ Technical Adviser Gernot Rohr invites 24 players for next month’s 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifying match against the Fennecs of Algeria in Uyo.

The duo was absent when the Eagles defeated Zambia 2-1 in Ndola as Ighalo was excused to bury his father while Balogun was out due to an injury he sustained while on duty for club.

Also listed are captain Mikel John Obi, assistant captain Ahmed Musa, goalkeeper Carl Ikeme with Rohr retaining the bulk of the squad that defeated Zambia few weeks back.

The Franco-German tactician has also beefed up the playing body with in –form Israeli –based midfielder John Ogu and Nigeria’s top scorer at the Olympic Men’s Football Tournament in Brazil, Oghenekaro Etebo.

Former junior international goalkeeper Dele Alampasu and Dutch –based defender Tyrone Ebuehi are also invited.

Players are expected to start arriving at the team’s Bolton White Apartment in Abuja on Sunday, 6th November.

The Super Eagles welcome the Fennecs at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium on Saturday, 12th November in one of the potentially most explosive games of the African series.

FULL LIST:
Goalkeepers: Carl Ikeme (Wolverhampton Wanderers, England); Ikechukwu Ezenwa (FC IfeanyiUbah); Dele Alampasu (FC Cesarense, Portugal)

Defenders: Leon Balogun (FSV Mainz 05, Germany); William Paul Ekong (Haugesund FC, Norway); Kenneth Omeruo (Alanyaspor FC, Turkey); Uche Henry Agbo (Granada FC, Spain); Tyrone Ebuehi (ADO Den Haag, The Netherlands); 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 FC, Turkey); Wilfred Ndidi (KRC Genk, Belgium); Oghenekaro Etebo (CD Feirense, Portugal); John Ogu (Hapoel Be’er Sheva, Israel)

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

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