The Super Eagles have recalled skipper Ahmed Musa, South Africa-based goalkeeper Daniel Akpeyi and midfielder Mikel Agu, who is based in Portugal, for next month’s 2021 AFCON qualifiers against Benin Republic and Lesotho.
Nigeria will open their qualifying campaign for the AFCON in Cameroon on November 14 in Uyo and three days later travel to Lesotho for a second qualifying game.
Ahmed Musa from Saudi Arabian club Al Nassr missed out on the rcent friendly against five-time world champions Brazil in Singapore due to injury.
Akpeyi has been overlooked since the AFCON in Egypt after coach Gernot Rohr criticised the Kaizer Chiefs goalkeeper for the goal that Algeria snatched to knock out the Eagles in the semifinal of the continental tournament.
Defensive midfielder Mikel Agu has not been considered by the national team since he missed the cut to the 2018 World Cup in Russia.
He has since been posting impressive displays for Portuguese club Vitoria Guimaraes.
However, Brighton defender Leon Balogun has been placed on standby as he has struggled to break into the first team at the Premier League club.
Other players placed on standby are injured Stoke City midfielder Oghenekaro Etebo and Czech Republic-based striker Peter Olayinka.
The full squad:
Goalkeepers: Daniel Akpeyi (Kaizer Chiefs, South Africa); Ikechukwu Ezenwa (Heartland FC); Maduka Okoye (Fortuna Dusseldorf, Germany)
Defenders: Kenneth Omeruo (CD Leganes, Spain); Abdullahi Shehu (Bursaspor FC, Turkey); 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); Bryan Idowu (Lokomotiv Moscow, Russia)
Midfielders: Alexander Iwobi (Everton FC, England); Mikel Agu (Vitoria Guimaraes, Portugal); Wilfred Ndidi (Leicester City, England); Joseph Ayodele-Aribo (Glasgow Rangers, Scotland); Ramon Azeez (Granada FC, Spain)
Forwards: Ahmed Musa (Al Nassr, Saudi Arabia); Victor Osimhen (Lille OSC, France); Moses Simon (FC Nantes, France); Samuel Chukwueze (Villarreal FC, Spain); Paul Onuachu (KRC Genk, Belgium); Emmanuel Dennis (Club Brugge, Belgium); Samuel Kalu (Girondins Bordeaux, France);
Standby: Leon Balogun (Brighton & Hove Albion, England); Peter Olayinka (SK Slavia Prague, Czech Republic); Oghenekaro Etebo (Stoke City, England)
