Hull City forward Sone Aluko has won his first Nigeria call-up in over 2 years, as the African champions name a 23-man squad for the start of their title defence next month.
Aluko, 25, earned his first Nigeria cap in friendly against the Republic of Ireland in May 2009, but has waited for an opportunity to add to that solitary cap.
Premier League stars, Peter Odemwingie and Victor Moses both of Stoke City and West Brom’s Brown Ideye are not included in the list.
The list released by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) on Tuesday also included defender, Elderson Echiejile, who missed out on Nigeria’s 23-man squad for the 2014 World Cup through injury.
Kenneth Omeruo, Efe Ambrose, Ogenyi Onazi, Mikel Obi, Ahmed Musa and Emmanuel Emenike, who all participated at the Brazil tournament are all included for the qualifier.
Several home based players, like; Chigozie Agbim, Kunle Odunlami, Azubuike Egwuekwe, and Gbolahan Salami, who were part of Nigeria’s third place finish at the African Nations Championship (CHAN) in South Africa earlier in the year, have been included.
The Super Eagles will face Congo and South Africa in an Africa Cup of Nations group stage qualifier on September 6 and 10 respectively. Congo were reinstated back into Group A, which also includes Sudan, after Caf disqualified Rwanda for featuring an ineligible player in the second round qualifier.
The Full Squad
Goalkeepers: Vincent Enyeama (Lille OSC, France); Austin Ejide (Hapoel Be’er Sheva, Israel); Chigozie Agbim (Gombe United, Nigeria)
Defenders: Elderson Echiejile (Monaco FC, France); Juwon Oshaniwa (Ashdod FC, Israel); Efe Ambrose (Celtic FC, Scotland); Godfrey Oboabona (Rizespor FC, Turkey); Azubuike Egwuekwe (Warri Wolves, Nigeria); Kenneth Omeruo (Middlesbrough FC, England); Kunle Odunlami (Sunshine Stars, Nigeria)
Midfielders: John Mikel Obi (Chelsea FC, England); Ogenyi Onazi (SS Lazio, Italy); Ramon Azeez (Almeria FC, Spain); Joel Obi (Inter Milan, Italy); Nosa Igiebor (Real Betis, Spain); Omatsone Aluko (Hull City, England)
Forwards: Ahmed Musa (CSKA Moscow, Russia); Emmanuel Emenike (Fenerbahce FC, Turkey); Chinedu Obasi (Schalke 04, Germany); Uche Nwofor (Heerenveen FC, Netherlands); Nnamdi Oduamadi (AS Varese 1910, Italy); Gbolahan Salami (Warri Wolves); Christian Osagona (Enugu Rangers)
