Gernot Rohr has moved to bring new energy to the Super Eagles by inviting six uncapped players led by Chidera Ejuke from CSKA Moscow and Genk striker Cyriel Dessers for next month’s friendlies against Cote d’Ivoire and Tunisia.
Nigeria will face Cote d’Ivoire on October 9 and four days later take on Tunisia, all in Austria.
The other uncapped players called up are goalkeeper Matthew Yakubu, new FC Porto signing Zaidu Sanusi as well as midfielders Samson Tijani and Frank Onyeka.
Striker Dessers, for one, has opted to play for Nigeria ahead of Belgium, where he was born.
He was set to make his debut for Nigeria in March before the outbreak of the Coronavirus caused the postponement of a 2021 AFCON qualifier against Sierra Leone.
Leicester City striker Kelechi Iheanacho, goalkeeper Dele Alampasu as well as Portugal-based midfielder Mikel Agu have also earned a recall to the team.
Otherwise, skipper Ahmed Musa will lead the likes of William Ekong, Moses Simon, Samuel Chukwueze and Victor Osimhen on this 23-man squad for the forthcoming friendlies.
The full squad:
Goalkeepers: Dele Alampasu (FK Ventspils, Latvia); Matthew Yakubu (SKF Sered, Slovakia); Maduka Okoye (Sparta Rotterdam, The Netherlands)
Defenders: Kenneth Omeruo (CD Leganes, Spain); Leon Balogun (Glasgow Rangers, Scotland); Chidozie Awaziem (FC Boavista, Portugal); William Ekong (Udinese FC, Italy); Olaoluwa Aina (Fulham FC, England); Jamilu Collins (SC Padeborn 07, Germany); Oluwasemilogo Ajayi (West Bromwich Albion, England); Zaidu Sanusi (FC Porto, Portugal)
Midfielders: Mikel Agu (Vitoria Guimaraes, Portugal); Wilfred Ndidi (Leicester City, England); Frank Onyeka (FC Midtjylland, Denmark); Oghenekaro Etebo (Galatasary SK, Turkey); Samson Tijani (TSV Hartberg, Austria)
Forwards: Ahmed Musa (Al Nassr, Saudi Arabia); Alex Iwobi (Everton FC, England); Victor Osimhen (SSC Napoli, Italy); Moses Simon (FC Nantes, France); Samuel Chukwueze (Villarreal FC, Spain); Cyril Dessers (KRC Genk, Belgium); Kelechi Iheanacho (Leicester City, England); Samuel Kalu (Girondins Bordeaux, France); Chidera Ejuke (CSKA Moscow, Russia)
Standby: Abdullahi Shehu (Omonia Nicosia, Cyprus); Ramon Azeez (Granada CF, Spain); Joshua Maja (Girondins Bordeaux, France); Henry Onyekuru (AS Monaco, France); Tyronne Ebuehi (FC Twente, Netherlands)
