Rohr names Mikel, Ikeme, 21 others for Tanzania clash

Super Eagles Technical Adviser, Gernot Rohr, has invited 23 players, including Captain John Obi Mikel and goalkeeper Carl Ikeme, for September’s 2017 Africa Nations Cup qualifying match against Tanzania.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the match is “a dead rubber’’ as both teams have already been eliminated from the tournament.

A statement on Nigeria Football Federation ( NFF ) website said that Rohr and the Super Eagles would use the game as rehearsal for the 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifying series clash with Zambia in Ndola in October.

The Franco-German named Technical Adviser of the Super Eagles by NFF two weeks ago, called up three goalkeepers, eight defenders, four midfielders and eight forwards for the game scheduled for Uyo Stadium on Sept. 3.

Mikel Obi would be joined in the midfield by Ogenyi Onazi, Belgium-based former youth international, Wilfred Ndidi and Israel-based Nosa Igiebor, who has not featured for Nigeria since missing the cut for the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil.

Emmanuel Daniel joins Carl Ikeme and Ikechukwu Ezenwa to fight for the gloves, while home-based Jamiu Alimi finds a place among Leon Balogun, William Troost-Ekong, Chidozie Awaziem in the defence.

Other defenders on the list are Abdullahi Shehu, Musa Muhammed, Elderson Echiejile and Kingsley Madu.

Rohr, a former defender, has also opted for a strong attacking line, with assistant captain Ahmed Musa leading Kelechi Iheanacho, Moses Simon, Victor Moses, Imoh Ezekiel, Odion Ighalo, Brown Ideye and youngster Victor Osimhen.

All the players have been directed to report in Uyo on Aug. 28.