Eagles release Afcon squad

By George Akpanyen


Nigeria have left out Portland Timbers forward, Bright Chinedu Dike, from their 23-man squad to this month's Afcon in South Africa. 

Dike has made just two appearances for Nigeria against Venezuela and Catalonia in November last year and January respectively.

The 25-year-old striker got Nigeria's goal in the 1-1 draw against Catalonia in a friendly game on January 2.

Nigeria head coach, Stephen Keshi, also left out three players from the nation's top flight.

The players are goalkeeper Daniel Akpeyi and Benjamin Francis (both from Heartland) as well as Solomon Kwambe (from Sunshine Stars).

Adana Demirspor midfielder, Raheem Lawal, also missed the cut.

Six players from Nigeria Premier League (NPL) made the final squad to the Africa Cup of Nations.

Chigozie Agbim, Azubuike Egwuekwe, Godfrey Oboabona, Reuben Gabriel, Ejike Uzoenyi and Sunday Mba.

Joseph Yobo will captain the squad as he makes his sixth appearance at the Afcon.
Squad:
Goalkeepers: Vincent Enyeama (Maccabi Tel Aviv, Israel); Austin Ejide (Hapoel Be’er Sheba, Israel); Chigozie Agbim (Enugu Rangers, Nigeria)

Defenders: Elderson Echiejile (FC Braga, Portugal); Juwon Oshaniwa (Ashdod FC, Israel); Joseph Yobo (Fenerbahce, Turkey); Efe Ambrose (Celtic FC, Scotland); Azubuike Egwuekwe (Warri Wolves, Nigeria); Kenneth Omeruo (ADO Den Haag, Netherlands); Godfrey Oboabona (Sunshine Stars, Nigeria)

Midfielders: John Obi Mikel (Chelsea FC, England); Nosa Igiebor (Real Betis, Spain); Ogenyi Onazi (SS Lazio, Italy); Obiora Nwankwo (Calcio Padova, Italy); Fegor Ogude (Valerenga FC, Norway); Reuben Gabriel (Kano Pillars, Nigeria)

Forwards: Ahmed Musa (CSKA Moscow, Russia); Emmanuel Emenike (Spartak Moscow, Russia); Brown Ideye (Dynamo Kyiv, Ukraine); Victor Moses (Chelsea FC, England); Ikechukwu Uche (Villarreal FC, Spain); Ejike Uzoenyi (Enugu Rangers, Nigeria); Sunday Mba (Enugu Rangers, Nigeria)


Culled by supersport.com