Obafemi Martins has been handed a recall to the Nigeria side for next month's World Cup qualifiers against Swaziland by coach Sunday Oliseh. The 31-year-old had been out of the Super Eagles since 2013 when he played in a World Cupqualifier under Stephen Keshi. He had talked about retiring from the national side after being ignored by the former coach who he claimed did not like him. The Sounders striker has been in impressive form this year scoring 15 goals in Major League Soccer (MLS) so far.
He made his Nigeria debut more than a decade ago and has 18 goals in 39 appearances. The coach announced his squad of 23 invitees for the double-header against Swaziland this afternoon with the inclusion of several young players that include Arsenal’s Alex Iwobi, Feirense goalkeeper Dele Alampasu and Genk midfielder Wilfred Ndidi. However, Manchester City youngster Kelechi Iheanacho was overwhelmingly overlooked a day after he scored for the Citizens in their demolition of Crystal Palace in the League Cup.
While overlooking defenders Kenneth Omeruo and William Troost-Ekong, Oliseh called up six players from the NPFL squad that secured qualification to next year’s African Nations Championship against Burkina Faso. Sunshine Stars goalkeeper Ikechukwu Ezenwa, Sharks defender Chima Akas and Enyimba forward Ezekiel Bassey are all in the team. The second round World Cup qualifiers will take place on November 13 and 17 in Lobamba and Port Harcourt respectively. The players are expected to arrive in the team’s Abuja camp on Monday November 8.
FULL LIST
Goalkeepers: Carl Ikeme (Wolverhampton Wanderers, England); Ikechukwu Ezenwa (Sunshine Stars); Dele Alampasu (Club de Sportivo Feirense, Portugal)
Defenders: Abdullahi Shehu (Uniao da Madeira, Portugal); Kalu Orji (Enugu Rangers); Elderson Echiejile (AS Monaco, France); Chima Akas (Sharks FC); Leon Balogun (FSV Mainz, Germany); Godfrey Oboabona (Caykur Rizespor, Turkey); Efe Ambrose (Celtic FC, Scotland); Austin Oboroakpo (Abia Warriors)
Midfielders: Ogenyi Onazi (SS Lazio, Italy); Paul Onobi (Sunshine Stars); John Mikel Obi (Chelsea FC, England); Rabiu Ibrahim (AS Trencin, Slovakia); Wilfred Ndidi (KRC Genk, Belgium); Sylvester Igbonu (FC UFA, Russia)
Forwards: Ahmed Musa (CSKA Moscow, Russia); Moses Simon (KAA Gent, Belgium); Odion Ighalo (Watford FC, England); Ezekiel Bassey (Enyimba FC); Alex Iwobi (Arsenal FC, England); Obafemi Martins (Seattle Sounders, USA)
He made his Nigeria debut more than a decade ago and has 18 goals in 39 appearances. The coach announced his squad of 23 invitees for the double-header against Swaziland this afternoon with the inclusion of several young players that include Arsenal’s Alex Iwobi, Feirense goalkeeper Dele Alampasu and Genk midfielder Wilfred Ndidi. However, Manchester City youngster Kelechi Iheanacho was overwhelmingly overlooked a day after he scored for the Citizens in their demolition of Crystal Palace in the League Cup.
While overlooking defenders Kenneth Omeruo and William Troost-Ekong, Oliseh called up six players from the NPFL squad that secured qualification to next year’s African Nations Championship against Burkina Faso. Sunshine Stars goalkeeper Ikechukwu Ezenwa, Sharks defender Chima Akas and Enyimba forward Ezekiel Bassey are all in the team. The second round World Cup qualifiers will take place on November 13 and 17 in Lobamba and Port Harcourt respectively. The players are expected to arrive in the team’s Abuja camp on Monday November 8.
FULL LIST
Goalkeepers: Carl Ikeme (Wolverhampton Wanderers, England); Ikechukwu Ezenwa (Sunshine Stars); Dele Alampasu (Club de Sportivo Feirense, Portugal)
Defenders: Abdullahi Shehu (Uniao da Madeira, Portugal); Kalu Orji (Enugu Rangers); Elderson Echiejile (AS Monaco, France); Chima Akas (Sharks FC); Leon Balogun (FSV Mainz, Germany); Godfrey Oboabona (Caykur Rizespor, Turkey); Efe Ambrose (Celtic FC, Scotland); Austin Oboroakpo (Abia Warriors)
Midfielders: Ogenyi Onazi (SS Lazio, Italy); Paul Onobi (Sunshine Stars); John Mikel Obi (Chelsea FC, England); Rabiu Ibrahim (AS Trencin, Slovakia); Wilfred Ndidi (KRC Genk, Belgium); Sylvester Igbonu (FC UFA, Russia)
Forwards: Ahmed Musa (CSKA Moscow, Russia); Moses Simon (KAA Gent, Belgium); Odion Ighalo (Watford FC, England); Ezekiel Bassey (Enyimba FC); Alex Iwobi (Arsenal FC, England); Obafemi Martins (Seattle Sounders, USA)
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