Daniel Amokachi, the Super Eagles assistant coach, has excluded Osaguona Ighodalo an Enugu Rangers striker, from the squad that will face Ivory Coast and Sudan in friendlies in Abu Dhabi next week.
The team left for the United Arab Emirates on Thursday.
Apart from Ighodalo, Ammel Wilfred of Kogi Unted, Chinedu Udeaga of Enugu Rangers and Mighty Jets central defender, Ahmed Idris, who was a late replacement for injured Kano Pillars’ Zango Umar, were also excluded from the team.
The Super Eagles will be facing Ivory Coast on January 12 before tackling Sudan on January 17.
Amokachi explained that Ighodalo was out of form and the other players who were battling for positions with him were better.
“I had earlier said only 19 of them will make the team and current form, not names, will form the basis of selection. That was exactly what happened in the case of Osaguona,” Daniel Amokachi said.
Meanwhile, John Obuh, the former Golden Eaglets and Flying Eagles coach, has expressed confidence in the home-based players, saying the team have what it takes to win the friendlies.
John Obuh said, “Nigeria remains one of the bastions of African football but we must avoid infighting to get to the zenith. We should stop thinking that destroying one character will revive the system, it will rather damage the country’s football system. I believe in this team and I know the team will excel in the UAE.”
Those in the team are:
Goalkeepers: Chigozie Agbim (Gombe United); Daniel Akpeyi (Warri Wolves); Theophilus Afelokhai (Kano Pillars)
Defenders: Solomon Kwambe (Sunshine Stars); Idris Aloma (El-Kanemi FC); Chimma Akas (Sharks FC); Nelson Ogbonna (Heartland FC); Azubuike Egwuekwe (Warri Wolves); Bright Esieme (Enyimba FC
Midfielders: Joseph Nathaniel (Sharks FC); Charles Henlong (Giwa FC); Stanley Dimgba (Warri Wolves); Rabiu Ali (Kano Pillars); Kingsley Sokari (Enyimba FC); Peter Ebimobowei
Forwards: Mfon Udoh (Enyimba FC); Gbolahan Salami (Warri Wolves);Gambo Muhammad (Kano Pillars); Christian Obiozor (Enugu Rangers).
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