AC Milan's Oduamadi has been handed his first Super Eagles call

AC Milan midfielder Nnamdi Oduamadi has been handed his first Nigeria call-up for this month's Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Ethiopia.

The 20-year-old is part of a 24-man squad named by coach Samson Siasia for the game in Abuja on 26 March.

Spain-based Ikechukwu Uche returns to the Super Eagles squad after a two-year injury-induced absence.

Oduamadi's inclusion comes as a surprise because he has struggled to get playing time at the San Siro.

He originally was part of Nigeria's team U20 for the 2009 World Cup in Egypt but was withdrawn because of a knee injury.

Uche, who was Nigeria's top scorer in the 2010 World Cup qualifiers, has been out of action since September 2009.

The Real Zaragoza striker was injured in only his second match for the club in September 2009, and then in July last year he suffered another injury - just as he was preparing to return to football.

Everton striker Victor Anichebe returns to the squad for the first time since he was dropped from the Super Eagles World Cup squad.

Siasia also named two home-based players Chibuzor Okonkwo and Ekigho Ehiosun in the squad.

The Super Eagles are trailing Group B leaders Guinea by three points in their qualifying group.

They have three points after two matches, level with Ethiopia.

Madagascar are the other team in this qualifying pool with only the eventual group winners guaranteed an automatic berth to next year's Nations Cup to be jointly hosted by Gabon and Equatorial Guinea.

Squad

Goalkeepers: Vincent Enyeama (Hapoel Tel Aviv, Israel), Dele Aiyenugba (Bnei Yehuda of Israel).

Defenders: Chibuzor Okonkwo (Heartland), Adefemi Olubayo (Skoda Xanthi, Greece) Taye Taiwo (Marseille, France), Elderson Echiejile (Sporting Braga, Portugal), Joseph Yobo (Fenerbahce, Turkey), Dele Adeleye (Metalurh Donetsk, Ukraine) Efe Ambrose (Ashdod, Israel).

Midfielders: Mikel Obi (Chelsea, England), Obiora Nwankwo (Parma, Italy), Joel Obi (Inter Milan, Italy), Fengor Ogude (Valerenga, Norway), Nnamdi Oduamadi (AC Milan, Italy) Kalu Uche (Almeria, Spain), Ahmed Musa (Venlo, Holland).

Strikers: Osaze Odemwingie (West Brom, England), Victor Anichebe (Everton, England), Peter Utaka (Odense, Denmark), Obinna Nsofor (West Ham, England), Ike Uche (Real Zaragoza, Spain), Ekigho Ehiosun (Warri Wolves), Solomon Okoronkwo (Aalesund, Norway), Obafemi Martins (Birmingham, England).

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