Mikel John Obi is back in the mix for the national team as he tops the 25-man Super Eagles list released Tuesday evening by the Super Eagles coach, Gernot Rohr.
Winger Ahmed Musa who has been the stand-in captain and defenders Kenneth Omeruo and Abdullahi Shehu are also in the 25-man squad to prepare for the 32nd Africa Cup of Nations finals in Egypt. Six other players are on standby.
Mikel Obi, who captained the team at the FIFA World Cup finals in Russia 2018, has not did not take part in any of the AFCON 2019 qualifying matches. However, a recent meeting with Coach Rohr sealed his return to the Super Eagles.
Invited players and officials are to report at the Golden Tulip Hotel, Asaba, on June 2, in preparation for the friendly with the Warriors of Zimbabwe at the Stephen Keshi Stadium scheduled for Saturday, 8th June.
The team will depart for Egypt on June 9 aboard a chartered aircraft, set up a final training camp in the city of Ismailia and tackle Africa’s number one –ranked team, Senegal, in their final pre-AFCON friendly on June 16.
Nigeria plays Burundi, Guinea and Madagascar in that order in Group B of the 32nd Africa Cup of Nations taking place in four Egyptian cities from 21st June to 19th July, 2019.
SUPER EAGLES PROVISIONAL LIST FOR AFCON2019
Goalkeepers: Francis Uzoho (Anorthosis Famagusta, Cyprus); Ikechukwu Ezenwa (Katsina United); Daniel Akpeyi (Kaizer Chiefs, South Africa)
Defenders: Olaoluwa Aina (Torino FC, Italy); Abdullahi Shehu (Bursaspor FC, Turkey); Chidozie Awaziem (Caykur Rizespor, Turkey); William Ekong (Udinese FC, Italy); Leon Balogun (Brighton & Hove Albion, England); Kenneth Omeruo (CD Leganes, Spain); Jamilu Collins (SC Padeborn 07, Germany); Semi Ajayi (Rotherham United, England)
Midfielders: Mikel John Obi (Middlesbrough FC, England); Wilfred Ndidi (Leicester City, England); Oghenekaro Etebo (Stoke City FC, England); John Ogu (Hapoel Be’er Sheva, Israel)
Forwards: Ahmed Musa (Al Nassar FC, Saudi Arabia); Victor Osimhen (Royal Charleroi SC, Belgium); Moses Simon (Levante FC, Spain); Henry Onyekuru (Galatasaray SK, Turkey); Odion Ighalo (Shanghai Shenhua, China); Alexander Iwobi (Arsenal FC, England); Samuel Kalu (Girondins Bordeaux, France); Paul Onuachu (FC Midtjyland, Denmark); Kelechi Iheanacho (Leicester City, England); Samuel Chukwueze (Villarreal FC, Spain)
Six On Standby: Theophilus Afelokhai (Enyimba FC); Bryan Idowu (Lokomotiv Moscow, Russia); Ikouwem Utin (Enyimba FC); Mikel Agu (Vitoria Setubal, Portugal); Junior Ajayi (Al Ahly, Egypt); Valentine Ozornwafor (Enyimba FC
