Ukraine vs Nigeria: Rohr recalls Iheanacho, Ajayi

Nigeria head coach, Gernot Rohr, has handed recalls to England based duo Kelechi Iheanacho and Semi Ajayi ahead of next month’s international friendly game between Ukraine and Nigeria.

AFCON third placed team, the Super Eagles, will face Ukraine on September 10 at the Dnipro Arena and Rohr has included Iheanacho and Ajayi, both of whom he omitted from his AFCON squad in his 23-man roster for the friendly.

Rohr has also handed maiden call-ups to Germany based goalkeeper Maduka Okoye and Glasgow Rangers midfielder Joe Aribo. Tyrone Ebuehi is also recalled after a lengthy injury layoff.

From the squad that went to Egypt in the summer, goalkeeper Daniel Akpeyi, defender Abdullahi Shehu and midfielder John Ogu have all been left out.

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It will be recalled that Rohr faced bitter criticism from Nigerians following what they see as Super Eagles’ disappointing outing at the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt, with many Nigerians calling for his sack.

Complacency played a big part in the loss of the Super Eagles to Madagascar. They went into the match knowing they had already qualified for the next round. Going forward, I urge all Nigerians to continue to have faith in the team. We are still very much in this tournament.
— Festus Keyamo, SAN, CON, FCIArb (UK) (@fkeyamo) June 30, 2019

The Super Eagles boss however retained his job with Nigeria’s senior men’s national football team after meeting the target set for him by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF).

THE SQUAD

Goalkeepers: Francis Uzoho (Anorthosis Famagusta, Cyprus); Ikechukwu Ezenwa (Heartland FC); Emil Maduka Okoye (Fortuna Dusseldorf, Germany).

Defenders: Olaoluwa Aina (Torino FC, Italy); Tyronne Ebuehi (FC Benfica, Portugal); Chidozie Awaziem (FC Porto, Portugal); William Ekong (Udinese FC, Italy); Leon Balogun (Brighton & Hove Albion, England); Kenneth Omeruo (CD Leganes, Spain); Jamilu Collins (SC Padeborn 07, Germany); Oluwasemilogo Ajayi (Rotherham United, England).

Midfielders: Alexander Iwobi (Everton FC, England); Wilfred Ndidi (Leicester City, England); Oghenekaro Etebo (Stoke City FC, England); Kelechi Iheanacho (Leicester City, England); Joe Aribo (Glasgow Rangers, Scotland).

Forwards: Ahmed Musa (Al Nassar FC, Saudi Arabia); Victor Osimhen (Lille OSC, France); Moses Simon (Levante FC, Spain); Henry Onyekuru (AS Monaco, France); Samuel Kalu (Girondins Bordeaux, France); Paul Onuachu (FC Midtjyland, Denmark); Samuel Chukwueze (Villarreal FC, Spain).