Nigeria Announce First 2019 Roster: Iwobi, Aina, Omeruo, Balogun Included; Mikels, Iheanacho Omitted

Published: March 04, 2019

The Nigeria Football Federation have announced the national team's first roster for 2019 ahead of upcoming matches against Seychelles (Africa Cup of Nations qualifier) and Egypt (international friendly).

An analysis of the roster revealed that three goalkeepers, eight defenders, four midfielders and eight strikers are part of the 23-man group.

There is a first time call-up for FC Midtjylland striker Paul Onuachu as well as Enyimba's Valentine Ozornwafor, who starred in last month's U20 Africa Cup of Nations.

Super Eagles skipper John Obi Mikel, Leicester City's Kelechi Iheanacho, Watford's Isaac Success and Porto loanee Mikel Agu have not been summoned for the two games.

Alex Iwobi, Leon Balogun, Chelsea loanees Kenneth Omeruo and Ola Aina made the cut.

Anorthosis goalkeeper Francis Uzoho has received another call-up though he has been officially inactive for more than two months and he'll challenge African-based pair Ikechukwu Ezenwa and Daniel Akpeyi for the number one spot.

The Super Eagles face Seychelles in a meaningless AFCON qualifier on March 23 before tackling Egypt in a friendly, with both games taking place at the Stephen Keshi Stadium in Asaba.

Nigeria Squad

Goalkeepers: Francis Uzoho (Anorthosis Famagusta, Cyprus); Ikechukwu Ezenwa (Katsina United); Daniel Akpeyi (Kaizer Chiefs, South Africa)

Defenders: Olaoluwa Aina (Torino FC, Italy); Abdullahi Shehu (Bursaspor FC, Turkey); Valentine Ozornwafor (Enyimba FC, U20 defender & Home-based); Chidozie Awaziem (Caykur Rizespor, Turkey); William Ekong (Udinese FC, Italy); Leon Balogun (Brighton & Hove Albion, England); Kenneth Omeruo (CD Leganes, Spain); Jamilu Collins (SC Padeborn 07, Germany)

Midfielders: Semi Ajayi (Rotherham United, England); Wilfred Ndidi (Leicester City, England); Oghenekaro Etebo (Stoke City FC, England); John Ogu (Hapoel Be’er Sheva, Israel)

Forwards: Ahmed Musa (Al Nassar FC, Saudi Arabia); Victor Osimhen (Charleroi SC, Belgium); Moses Simon (Levante FC, Spain); Henry Onyekuru (Galatasaray SK, Turkey); Odion Ighalo (Shanghai Shenhua, China); Alex Iwobi (Arsenal FC, England); Samuel Kalu (Girondins Bordeaux, France); Paul Onuachu (FC Midtjyland, Denmark)

Ifeanyi Emmanuel