Goal scoring midfielder Esosa Igbinoba heads the list of players dropped by Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) side Rivers United as they look forward to the 2017/18 season.
Igbinoba who was an influential figure at Nasarawa United before his switch to Port Harcourt during the December/January period battled with injuries during his one-year stint at the club.
According to a release by the club on Friday, twenty one players were retained by the Stanley Eguma coached side and conspicuously missing in the list were names of midfielders Igbinoba, Ayo Saka, Ifeanyi Okoye and the vastly experienced Yusuf Jayeola.
Former Niger Tornadoes duo Gabriel Wassa and Lukman Mohammed were also not part of the retained squad while it is understood that goalkeeper Olufemi Thomas and midfielder Nzube Anaezemba have rejoined Enyimba at the expiration of their season-long loan deal.
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Ageless team captain Festus Austine and goalkeeper Sunday Rotimi top the list of retained players by the club.
Other players in the retained list who have had no fewer than 15 years of experience in the top flight are defenders Gabriel Olalekan and Ayobami Asekunowo. Homegrown stars Christian Weli, Chiwendu Ali, Fredrick Obomate and Israel Daniel are also retained by the club.
Retained list:
Goalkeepers: Sunday Rotimi, Abiodun Akande
Defenders: Markson Ojobo, Ifeanyi Nweke, Kingsley Patrick, Chiwendu Ali, Zoumana Doumbia, Austin Festus, Ayobami Asekunowo, Semiu Liadi, Gabriel Olalekan
Midfielders: Emeka Atuloma, Aliassou Sanou, Christian Weli, Fedrick Obomate
Forwards: Bernard Ovoke, Bolaji Sakin, Daniel Israel, Abdoulaye Kanoute, Guy Keumian, Emeka Ogbugh.
