Rohr names 30-man squad for back-to-back World Cup qualifiers against Liberia and Cape Verde

SUPER Eagles head coach Gernot Rohr has named a 30-man squad for the forthcoming 2022 World Cup Qualifiers against Liberia and Cape Verde next month that does not include the injured winger Samuel Chukwueze.

On September 3, the Super Eagles kick off their 2022 World Cup qualification campaign in Lagos at home to Liberia and then four days later play their second game away to Cape Verde on September 7. To prosecute both games, Mr Rohr has named a 30-man squad as many of the British-based players may not feature away to Cape Verde because of Covid-19 restrictions which place the country on the UK’s red list.

There were a few surprises in the squad as Villarreal star Chukwueze is out as his season is yet to start due to injury. Hoffenheim centreback Kevin Akpoguma returns to the squad for the first time since last November, while West Bromwich Albion defender Semi Ajayi is another omission.

Napoli’s Victor Osimhen is arguably the biggest name on the list that includes other stars such as Kelechi Iheanacho, Wilfred Ndidi and Joe Aribo. Ideally, Mr Rohr had wanted to name a 23-man squad but had to include seven more players to make up for the British players who would miss the Cape Verde game.

These seven new players called up include Terem Moffi, Valentine Ozornwafor, Chidera Ejuke, Tyronne Ebuehi, Henry Onyekuru, Bonke Innocent and Kingsley Michael. Several of them, may star in the away game to Cape Verde, which could be their debut.

Full list

Goalkeepers

Francis Uzoho (Apoel Nicosia, Cyprus); Daniel Akpeyi (Kaizer Chiefs, South Africa); Maduka Okoye (Sparta Rotterdam, The Netherlands)

Defenders

Chidozie Awaziem (FC Boavista, Portugal); Kenneth Omeruo (CD Leganes, Spain); Leon Balogun (Glasgow Rangers, Scotland); William Ekong (Watford FC, England); Olaoluwa Aina (Torino FC, Italy); Jamilu Collins (SC Paderborn 07, Germany); Abdullahi Shehu (AC Omonia, Cyprus); Zaidu Sanusi (FC Porto, Portugal); Kevin Akpoguma (TSG Hoffenheim, Germany); Valentine Ozornwafor (Sporting Charleroi, Belgium); Tyronne Ebuehi (Venezia FC, Italy)

Midfielders

Oghenekaro Etebo (Watford FC, England); Wilfred Ndidi (Leicester City, England); Frank Onyeka (Brentford FC, England); Joseph Ayodele-Aribo (Glasgow Rangers, Scotland); Innocent Bonke (Malmo FF, Sweden); Kingsley Michael (Bologna FC, Italy)

Forwards

Ahmed Musa (Fatih Karagumruk, Turkey); Alex Iwobi (Everton FC, England); Samuel Kalu (FC Bordeaux, France); Victor Osimhen (Napoli FC, Italy); Kelechi Iheanacho (Leicester City, England); Moses Simon (FC Nantes, France); Paul Onuachu (KRC Genk, Belgium); Terem Moffi (FC Lorient, France); Henry Onyekuru (Olympiacos FC, Greece); Chidera Ejuke (CSKA Moscow, Russia)