Saudi Arabia-based striker Odion Ighalo has been pulled out of retirement to lead the Super Eagles strike force again.
Ighalo has been included on a 24-man squad for forthcoming 2022 World Cup qualifiers against Liberia and Cape Verde.
The experienced striker called time on his international career soon after he finished as top scorer of the 2019 AFCON in Egypt with five goals.
However, this past week Eagles coach Gernot Rohr gave the strongest indication of Ighalo’s return when he praised the experience and leadership of the striker, maintaining his young team will benefit from his comeback.
Premier League stars Wilfred Ndidi and Alex Iwobi as well as Samuel Chukwueze from La Liga side Villarreal, who missed last month’s World Cup qualifiers against Central African Republic due to injury, have also been recalled.
Zaidu Sanusi is the other player who has made a return to the team after he was left out in October due to his problems at Portuguese giants FC Porto.
The Super Eagles will tackle the Lone Star of Liberia at the Grand Stade Tangier in Morocco on Saturday, 13th November and then fly into Lagos for the final group game against Cape Verde’s Blue Sharks at the Teslim Balogun Stadium on Tuesday, 16th November.
Top of their pool with nine points but hotly chased by seven-pointer Cape Verde, who host Central African Republic on the island of Mindelo, the Eagles need the three points against the Lone Star on the neutral turf of Morocco’s principal northern city to remain on firm ground when hosting the Blue Sharks three days later in Nigeria’s commercial and industrial capital.
The Full Squad:
Goalkeepers: Maduka Okoye, Daniel Akpeyi, Francis Uzoho
Defenders: William Ekong, Chidozie Awaziem, Kenneth Omeruo, Jamiu Collins, Ola Aina, Kevin Akpoguma, Leon Balogun Zaidu Sanusi, Shehu Abdullahi
Midfielders: Wilfred Ndidi, Joe Aribo, Kelechi Iheanacho, Frank Onyeka, Alex Iwobi
Forwards: Ahmed Musa, Moses Simon, Odion Ighalo, Victor Osimhen, Paul Onuachu, Chidera Ejuke, Samuel Chukwueze
