Mikel, Moses, Onazi Left out of Tanzania Clash

Nigeria and Chelsea midfielder, John Mikel Obi, his Stamford Bridge teammate, Victor Moses and Lazio player, Ogenyi Onazi were the surprise regulars left out of the list of foreign-based Super Eagles invited for the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Tanzania.

Watford forward, Odion Jude Ighalo, was another surprise name missing from the list new Eagles Head Coach, Sunday Oliseh revealed in Lagos yesterday.

No immediate reason was given by the NFF for the omission of the players from the roster as West Brom striker Brown Ideye is also considered another top player not listed for the Tanzania trip.

Oliseh has opted to call up six other strikers in Ahmed Musa, Emem Eduok, Emmanuel Emenike, Anthony Ujah, Sylvester Igboun (FC UFA, Russia) and Moses Simon.

In the absence of Mikel, Joel Obi, Izunna Ernest Uzochukwu, Obiora Nwankwo, Lukman Haruna and Rabiu Ibrahim got calls to the team.

Eagles are billed to face Tanzania’s Taifa Stars in a 2017 Africa Cup of Nations next month in Dar es Salaam.

Already, the NFF confirmed yesterday that it has paid for a chartered flight to take players and officials to Tanzania for Oliseh’s debut on the Nigerian job. THE LIST Goalkeepers: Vincent Enyeama (Lille OSC, France); Carl Ikeme ( Wolverhampton Wanderers, England)

Defenders: Leon Balogun (FSV Mainz 05, Germany); Kingsley Madu (AS Trencin, Slovakia); Godfrey Oboabona (Caykur Rizespor, Turkey); William Troost Ekong (FK Haugesund, Norway); Kenneth Omeruo (Kasimpasa SK, Turkey)

Midfielders: Joel Obi (Torina FC, Italy); Izunna Ernest Uzochukwu (FC Amkar Perm, Russia); Obiora Nwankwo (Coimbra FC, Portugal); Lukman Haruna (Anzhi Machatsjkala, Russia); Rabiu Ibrahim (AS Trencin, Slovakia)

Forwards: Ahmed Musa (CSKA Moscow, Russia); Emem Eduok (Esperance ST, Tunisia); Emmanuel Emenike (Al Ain, UAE); Anthony Ujah (Werder Bremen, Germany); Sylvester Igboun (FC UFA, Russia); Moses Simon (KAA Gent, Belgium).