Head coach of the Nigeria senior men’s national team, Sunday Oliseh, has rolled out a list of 23 players from the domestic league to kick- start preparations for next month’s 2017 Africa cup of Nations (Afcon) qualifier away to Tanzania.
Warri Wolves striker Gbolahan Salami and defender Solomon Kwambe (also from the Delta State-based side) are included in the selection.
Salami opened scoring for Nigeria in their 2-0 win over Chad in Kaduna in June.
Oliseh has called up some of the players from Nigeria U-23 squad, who sealed the country’s passage to the group stage of this year’s Caf U-23 Championship last weekend.
Former junior international goalkeepers Olufemi Thomas and Ikechukwu Ezenwa are also included in Oliseh’s maiden call-up list.
Sunshine Stars’ Tunde Adeniji- leading scorer in the Glo Premier League- is among a number of fresh faces on the list.
The players are expected to report to the Bolton White Apartments, Abuja on Monday, 17 August. Nigeria play Tanzania in Dar es Salaam on September 5 in one of the Matchday 2 games of the qualification series for Gabon 2017. It will be Oliseh’s first match in charge of the Super Eagles.
Selected Players
Goalkeepers: Olufemi Thomas (Enyimba FC); David Obiazor (Heartland FC); Ikechukwu Ezenwa (Sunshine Stars)
Defenders: Orji Kalu (Enugu Rangers); Solomon Kwambe (Warri Wolves); Idris Aloma (Enyimba FC); Chima Akas (Sharks FC); Nelson Ogbonnaya (Heartland FC); Samson Gbadebo (Lobi Stars); Jamiu Alimi (Shooting Stars); Stephen Eze (Sunshine Stars)
Midfielders: Ifeanyi Mathew (El-Kanemi Warriors); Usman Mohammed (FC Taraba); Azubuike Okechukwu (Bayelsa United); Lawson Ichul (Warri Wolves); Kingsley Sokari (Enyimba FC); Etebo Oghenekaro (Warri Wolves)
Forwards: Ezekiel Bassey (Enyimba FC); Gbolahan Salami (Warri Wolves); Bright Ejike (Heartland FC); Tunde Adeniji (Sunshine Stars); Bright Onyedikachi (FC IfeanyiUbah); Prince Aggrey (Sunshine Stars)
