AFCON 2017 Qualifiers: Oliseh snubs Mikel, Moses for Tanzania clash

The Chelsea duo of Victor Moses and John Obi Mikel are top on the list of high profile names missing in the list of 18 foreign-based pros invited by Coach Sunday Oliseh for next month’s 2017 AFCON qualifying match against Tanzania.

It is not clear if the bench role for the Chelsea duo accounted for their exclusion even as the new Eagles boss also overlooked the likes of Brown Ideye and Elderson Echiejile who have found it hard to get playing time at their respective clubs.

Regulars like skipper Vincent Enyeama, and defenders Godfrey Oboabona, Leon Balogun and Kenneth Omeruo are in the 18-man list.

There are however a number of surprises as earlier hinted by Coach Oliseh who asserted that players’ will be invited based on their current form and first–level football role.

There are goalkeeper Carl Ikeme, midfielder Izunna Ernest Uzochukwu and forwards Emem Eduok, Sylvester Igboun and Moses Simon.

All the 18 players, who will join up with the 23 home boys who arrived camp in Abuja on Monday, are expected in Abuja on Monday, 31st August, 2015 at the latest.

The Super Eagles take on Tanzania in Dar es Salaam on Saturday, September 5.

Full 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)