Triple-Eligible Cologne Defender, Dessers, Everton & Leicester Stars Named In Nigeria's 24-Man Squad For AFCONQ

The Nigeria Football Federation have announced the Super Eagles roster for this month's Africa Cup of Nations qualifying matches against Sierra Leone, allnigeriasoccer.com reports.

An analysis of the roster revealed that three goalkeepers, eight defenders, five midfielders and eight strikers have been summoned for the two matches by manager Gernot Rohr.

FC Cologne wing-back Kingsley Ehizibue and Heracles Almelo goal poacher Cyriel Dessers have received maiden call-ups to the Nigeria national team.

Born in Munich to Nigerian parents, Ehizibue is triple-qualified to represent three countries internationally, namely Nigeria, Netherlands and Germany and played in a non-binding game for the Dutch U21 squad in March 2016.

Leicester City striker Kelechi Iheanacho has been recalled to the team on the back of his brilliant performances for the Foxes in the last few months, while teammate Wilfred Ndidi and Everton's Alex Iwobi complete the Premier League contingent.

Nigeria will host Sierra Leone at the Stephen Keshi Stadium in Asaba on March 27, before facing the same opponents in Freetown four days later.

Heartland's Ikechukwu Ezenwa is the only local-based player in the 24-man squad.

Goalkeepers (3): Daniel Akpeyi (Kaizer Chiefs, South Africa); Ikechukwu Ezenwa (Heartland FC); Maduka Okoye (Fortuna Dusseldorf, Germany)

Defenders (8): Kenneth Omeruo (CD Leganes, Spain); Leon Balogun (Wigan Athletic, England); Chidozie Awaziem (CD Leganes, Spain); William Ekong (Udinese FC, Italy); Olaoluwa Aina (Torino FC, Italy); Jamilu Collins (SC Padeborn 07, Germany); Oluwasemilogo Ajayi (West Bromwich Albion, England); Kingsley Ehizibue (FC Koln, Germany)

Midfielders (5): Abdullahi Shehu (Bursaspor FC, Turkey); Etebo Oghenekaro (Getafe FC, Spain); Wilfred Ndidi (Leicester City, England); Joseph Ayodele-Aribo (Glasgow Rangers, Scotland); Ramon Azeez (Granada FC, Spain)

Forwards (8): Ahmed Musa (Al Nassr, Saudi Arabia); Alexander Iwobi (Everton FC, England); Victor Osimhen (Lille OSC, France); Moses Simon (FC Nantes, France); Samuel Chukwueze (Villarreal FC, Spain); Cyril Dessers (Heracles Almelo, The Netherlands); Kelechi Iheanacho (Leicester City, England); Samuel Kalu (Girondins Bordeaux, France)

Ifeanyi Emmanuel