Dennis Aogo is ineligible to play for the Super Eagles

Nigeria have now reversed their decision to include Hamburg midfielder Dennis Aogo in the latest Super Eagles squad.

The Nigeria Football Federation had bizarrely handed a call-up to Aogo on Friday for World Cup qualifiers even though he is not eligible to play for the country.

Aogo, whose father is from Ilesha in south-west Nigeria, has already represented Germany at youth level.

But the Germany-born player cannot switch allegiance to Nigeria as he is now 22-years-old.

Fifa allows players who have represented one country at junior level to switch to another country.

But the statutes of world football's governing body state that this can only happen if they are still under the age of 21.

"The invitation of Aogo is a regrettable error because we only just discovered he is not eligible to play for Nigeria," Emmanuel Attah, the Supereagles team co-ordinator said.

"We have moved swiftly to remove his name from the squad of invited players."

No-one else will be called up to replace Aogo in the Nigeria squad.

This is the second time Nigeria have called up an ineligible player for a World Cup qualifier in recent times.

West Ham United striker Carlton Cole was named in the squad for the games against South Africa in September and Sierra Leone in October.

But the England international, who was then 24, did not turn up for the game because, as expected, he could not get the clearance from Fifa.

Meanwhile, Fulham midfielder Dickson Etuhu returns to the squad for the time since last year's African Cup of Nations in Ghana.

Also making returns are Germany-based striker Chinedu Obasi, midfielder Yusuf Ayila of Dinamo Kiev and Rennes defender Elderson Echiejile.

Squad

Goalkeepers: Vincent Enyeama (Hapoel Tel Aviv, Israel), Austin Ejide (Bastia, France), Dele Aiyenugba (Bnei Yehuda, Israel)

Defenders: Joseph Yobo (Everton, England), Danny Shittu (Bolton, England), Obinna Nwaneri (FC Sion, Switzerland), Taye Taiwo (Olympique Marseille, France), Chidi Odia (CSKA Moscow, Russia), Elderson Echiejele (Rennes, France), Dele Adeleye (Sparta Rotterdam, Holland), Olubayo Adefemi (SC Rheindorf Altach, Austria), Chibuzor Okonkwo (Bayelsa United)

Midfielders: John Mikel Obi (Chelsea, England), Sani Kaita (FC Kuban, Russia), Seyi Olofinjana (Stoke City, England), Kalu Uche (Almeria, Spain), Yusuf Ayila(Dinamo Kiev, Ukraine), Ebenezer Ajilore (FC Groningen, Holland); Dickson Etuhu (Fulham, England)

Forwards: Nwankwo Kanu (Portsmouth, England), Obafemi Martins (Newcastle, England), Osaze Odemwingie (FC Moscow, Russia), Obinna Nsofor (Inter Milan, Italy), Ikechukwu Uche (Getafe, Spain), Chinedu Obasi (Hoffenheim/Germy), Joseph Akpala (Club Brugges/Belgium)

E-mail this to a friend

Printable version