Awoniyi out but Ighalo, Chukwueze, Ndidi return for Nigeria’s clash against Cape Verde and Liberia

The three-time African champions have named 24 players for their final 2022 World Cup qualifiers in Group C, with some notable names returning

Super Eagles coach Gernot Rohr has named Odion Ighalo, Wilfred Ndidi and Samuel Chukwueze in Nigeria’s squad for the 2022 World Cup qualifiers against Liberia and Cape Verde this month.

Ighalo makes a return to the squad more than two years after he retired from international duty, while Wilfred Ndidi is back after missing last month’s games against the Central African Republic.

Chukuwueze has not played a part in the qualifiers, but he is back in the squad after returning from a six-month injury layoff.

Other players invited include the regulars like Leon Balogun, Maduka Okoye, William Troost-Ekong, Alex Iwobi, Kelechi Iheanacho and Ahmed Musa.

However, Taiwo Awoiniy will be disappointed to miss out despite his impressive start to the season. The 23-year-old has scored 12 goals in 17 appearances for Union Berlin this season, with seven coming in ten Bundesliga games.

But he is not included in the latest squad after making his debut last month.

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The major headline, though, is about Ighalo’s return. Soccernet had reported of his potential return, while Rohr also confirmed he had spoken to him. 

The former Manchester United revealed he had not made a decision, but he is now back in the squad.

The Super Eagles need just a win and a draw to guarantee from their final two games to guarantee their place in the final playoff round.

They play Liberia at the Stade Tangier on Saturday, November 13th, before taking on Cape Verde in the final group game at the Teslim Balogun Stadium three days later.