Super Eagles’ Head Coach, Stephen Keshi, has listed Skipper Joseph Yobo in his squad of 23 for the international friendly against Mexico in Atlanta, USA on March 5.
Yobo, who is back in the keenly-followed English Premiership, this time with Norwich City, on loan from Fenerbahce FC of Turkey, last played for the African champions at the 29th Africa Cup of Nations in South Africa, which Nigeria won.
Also returning are Israel-based defender, Juwon Oshaniwa; 2014 African Nations Championship Most Valuable Player, Ejike Uzoenyi; and Canada-based striker, Bright Dike.
New faces include former junior internationals, Ramon Azeez and Shehu Abdullahi, and Belgium-based strikers, Imoh Ezekiel and Michael Uchebo.
Centre-back Kunle Odunlami, who made CAF’s list of Best 11 at the recent African Nations Championship in South Africa, is also called.
Usual suspects like goalkeepers Vincent Enyeama and Austin Ejide, defenders Elderson Echiejile, Efe Ambrose, Godfrey Oboabona, Azubuike Egwuekwe and Kenneth Omeruo, midfielders John Mikel Obi and Ogenyi Onazi, and forwards Ahmed Musa, Shola Ameobi, Victor Moses, Emmanuel Emenike and Obinna Nsofor will also fly to America.
Meanwhile, the name of fumbling home-based goalkeeper, Chigozie Agbim, was missing on the list as the decision to drop the stocky shot stopper can be linked to his dismal outing at the just ended CHAN 2014 in South Africa where he led Nigeria to a third place finish.
French Lique 2 new buy and AFCON 2014 revelation, Sunday Mba, was also not listed for the friendly against the El-Tri of Mexico.
THE FULL SQUAD OF 23
Goalkeepers: Vincent Enyeama (Lille FC, France); Austin Ejide (Hapoel Be’er Sheva, Israel)
Defenders: Elderson Echiejile (Monaco FC, France); Efe Ambrose (Celtic FC, Scotland); Godfrey Oboabona (Rizespor, Turkey); Azubuike Egwuekwe (Warri Wolves); Kenneth Omeruo(Middlesbrough FC, England); Juwon Oshaniwa (Ashdod FC, Israel); Joseph Yobo (Norwich City, England); Kunle Odunlami (Sunshine Stars).
Midfielders: John Mikel Obi (Chelsea FC, England); Ogenyi Onazi (SS Lazio, Italy); Ramon Azeez (Almeria FC, Spain); Shehu Abdullahi (Kano Pillars); Ejike Uzoenyi (Enugu Rangers).
Forwards: Ahmed Musa (CSKA Moscow, Russia); Shola Ameobi (Newcastle United, England); Victor Moses (Liverpool FC, England); Emmanuel Emenike (Fenerbahce FC. Turkey); Obinna Nsofor (Chievo Verona, Italy); Bright Dike (Toronto FC, Canada), Imoh Ezekiel(Standard Liege, Belgium); Michel Uchebo (Cercle Brugge, Belgium).