 Kanu has been a Nigeria stalwart |
Arsenal striker Nwankwo Kanu and Chelsea defender Celestine Babayaro have been left out of an 18-man squad for the Nations Cup qualifier against Malawi. The Nigerian FA said it wanted to give other players the chance to prove themselves, and that they would not pick two overseas professionals for the same position.
But Nigerian captain and Bolton Wanderers midfielder Austin "Jay-Jay" Okocha has been picked , along with Portsmouth's striker Yakubu Aiyegbeni.
Midfielder Ikpe Ikong of Reggiana in Italy gets his first call-up for a competitive game, while defender Joseph Enakhahire of Standard Liege in Belgium is also a new face in the side.
In total 10 Europe-based players have been selected for the tie in Blantyre on 29 March.
"The foreign-based players will fly directly to Malawi on 25 March, while the home-based will leave on 22 March, transit for two days in Kenya, before arriving in Malawi," said NFA spokesman Sam Kaalu.
Nigeria are looking for their first win after drawing their opening game against Angola in Luanda, while victory for Malawi would put them in a great position to qualify for their first Nations Cup.
Squad:
Goalkeepers: Vincent Enyeama (Enyimba FC) and Austin Ejide (Etoile, Tunisia)
Defenders: Joseph Yobo (Everton, England), Ifeanyi Udeze (West Brom, England), Isaac Okoronkwo (Shaktar Donetsk, Ukraine), Joseph Enakhahire (Standard Liege, Belgium) Romanus Orjinta (Enyimba FC), Seyi Olofinjana (Rangers FC, Nigeria) and Seyi Olajengbesi (Julius Berger FC).
Midfielders: Jay-Jay Okocha (Bolton, England), John Utaka (Lens, France), Ikpe Ikong (Reggiana, Italy), Ahmed Garba (Pillars FC, Nigeria), Femi Okpabunmi (Grasshoppers, Switzerland), Oge Ileagu (Rangers FC, Nigeria).
Strikers: Julius Aghahowa (Sharktar Donetsk, Ukraine), Yakubu Aiyegbeni (Portsmouth, England), Benedict Akwuegbu (Sturm Graz, Austria).
MMIX
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