Oliseh invites Martins, Mikel, 21 others for Swaziland

Super Eagles Head Coach Sunday Oliseh has invited 23 players, including USA-based Obafemi Martins and six home-based professionals for the Super Eagles’ 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifying fixture against Swaziland.

The two-legged fixture will take place over four days next month, with the first leg in Lobamba on November 13 and the return at the Adokiye Amiesiamaka Stadium in Port Harcourt on November 17.

Martins, who has not featured for the Super Eagles Golden Eaglets marksman Victor Osimhen says he dedicated his fifth goal of the ongoing FIFA U-17 World Cup to Tobechukwu Ibe because of his off the pitch contribution to the team’s impressive run in the in the last two years, has been in great scoring form in the Major League Soccer.

The invitation is also a sweet birthday present to Martins, who celebrated his big day on Wednesday. He scored for Nigeria on his debut in a friendly match against Republic of Ireland in London in May 2005.

Six home-based professionals, who all played notable roles in Nigeria’s qualification for the 4th African Nations Championship at the expense competition.

Osimhen scored a hat trick and other goals from the trio of Kelechi Nwakali, Edidiong Michael Essien and Samuel Chukwueze ensured that Nigeria defeated Australia 6-0 in the Round of 16 on clash on Wednesday night. He had previously scored a of Burkina Faso, are in the 23 -man mix.

Chelsea of England midfielder John Mikel Obi, Portugal-based former junior internationals Dele Alampasu and Abdullahi Shehu and Arsenal FC’s Alex Iwobi are also invited, as well as former junior international defender Wilfred Ndidi.

Oliseh has directed all the players to arrive at the Bolton White Apartments, Abuja on Sunday, November 8 as training commences same day by 7pm. goal on the opening day in the 2-0 win over the USA, a brace in the 5-1 crushing of host Chile and a goal in the 2-1 loss to Croatia.

“Tobechukwu is one of our key players but he has not played here; and immediately I scored the opening goal today (against Australia), he was the only one on my mind,” said Osimhen who has notched up a total of 48 goals for Golden Eaglets after 77 matches in all competitions.

“He ( Tobechukwu) is a good guy and has been encouraging all of us to work harder.”