Mikel, Iheanacho, Ighalo, 23 others invited for Mali, Luxembourg friendlies

Super Eagles’ Head Coach Salisu Yusuf has called up 26 players, including skipper John Mikel Obi, forwards Ahmed Musa and Odion Ighalo and goalkeeper Carl Ikeme for the forthcoming international friendlies against Mali and Luxembourg in Europe.

The three –time African champions take on Les Aiglons of Mali in France on 27thMay before flying to Luxembourg to take on that country’s National Team on the first day of June.

Yusuf, installed as interim Head Coach by the NFF last week, has picked a relatively young squad that also includes former U-20 skipper Musa Muhammed, former U-20 defender Gbenga Arokoyo, former U-23 midfielder Raheem Lawal, 2013 Africa Cup of Nations winner Brown Ideye, one–cap left –back Kingsley Madu and unknown Portugal –based defender Chidozie Awaziem.

Defenders Kenneth Omeruo, Leon Balogun and William Troost Ekong return, while Ogenyi Onazi, Abdullahi Shehu, Elderson Echiejile, Moses Simon, Victor Moses, Alex Iwobi and Aaron Samuel are back to familiar terrain.

Full Invitee List:
Goalkeepers: Carl Ikeme (Wolverhampton Wanderers, England); Daniel Akpeyi (Chippa United, South Africa); Ikechukwu Ezenwa (Sunshine Stars)

Defenders: Abdullahi Shehu (Uniao da Madeira, Portugal); Musa Muhammed (Istanbul Basaksehir, Turkey); Elderson Echiejile (AS Monaco, France); Kingsley Madu (AS Trencin, Slovakia); Kenneth Omeruo (Kasimpasa SK, Turkey); Leon Balogun (Mainz 05, Germany); Gbenga Arokoyo (Gaziantepspor, Turkey); William Troost Ekong (Haugesund FC, Norway); Chidozie Awaziem (FC Porto, Portugal)

Midfielders: Ogenyi Onazi (SS Lazio, Italy); John Mikel Obi (Chelsea FC, England); Kelechi Iheanacho (Manchester City, England); Wilfred Ndidi KRC Genk, Belgium); Raheem Lawal (Osmanlispor FK, Turkey); Etebo Oghenekaro (SC Farense, Portugal)

Forwards: Ahmed Musa (CSKA Moscow, Russia); Moses Simon (KAA Gent, Belgium); Victor Moses (West Ham United, England); Odion Ighalo (Watford FC, England); Alex Iwobi (Arsenal FC, England); Aminu Umar (Osmanlispor FK, Turkey); Aaron Samuel (CSKA Moscow, Russia); Brown Ideye (Olympiakos FC, Greece)
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