Super Eagles new chief coach, Samson Siasia has made his first squad announcement ahead of the crunch double header against the Pharaohs with a few familiar faces making the 42-man list.
The interim Nigeria coach has settled for a fair mix of home-based players and their foreign-based counterparts, as he also handed surprise call-ups to many of the players he led to win the Africa U23 Cup of Nations in December while also handing invitations to a few Super Eagles regulars.
There are a total of 22 home-based professionals and 20 of their overseas-based colleagues.
Among the familiar faces on the list are Lazio’s Ogenyi Onazi, Belgium-based Simon Moses, Manchester City forward Kelechi Iheanacho, Arsenal’s Alex Iwobi, and Watford’s talisman Odion Ighalo.
There were sweet recalls for Aaron Samuel, Bright Onyedikachi, Kenneth Omeruo and Efe Ambrose.
But there was no room for Vincent Enyeama and Emmanuel Emenike both of whom retired in the ill-fated, short-lived tenure of ex-coach Sunday Oliseh. Also missing from the list was Mainz 05’s star defender Leon Balogun and Chinese League’s expensive import Obafemi Martins.
Kano Pillars’ Prince Aggreh, Abia Warriors’ Chisom Chikatara and Wikki Tourists’ Godwin Obaje top the list of the home-based legion.
See Full Squad List below: