Abuja — West Ham winger, Victor Moses has been recalled to the national team by Super Eagles care-taker coach Samson Siasia for the double-header against Egypt later this month.
Moses has not played for Nigeria since his celebrated fall-out with former coach Stephen Keshi at the FIFA World Cup in Brazil in 2014.
He similarly rejected an olive branch by the immediate past coach Sunday Oliseh, for the friendly matches against DR Congo and Cameroun in Belgium, last year saying he wanted to focus on his club football.
He is one of the 20 foreign-based players listed in the 42-man squad summoned for the two Group G matches billed for Kaduna on March 25 and Alexandra, four days later.
Siasia also invited Aaron Samuel, who was a main vertebrae of the team under Keshi but was frozen out by Oliseh in 14 official engagements.
Some few surprise call ups too as Siasia gambled with a few new comers. They include Fenando Adi of Portland Timbers of USA, Stanley Amuzie of Olhanense FC, Portugal and Aminu Umar, who plays for Osmanlispor FK, Turkey.
"I believe in the players I have listed and I want to passionately appeal to Nigerians, give us total support. It will not be easy, but we will triumph. I will give everything that I have to offer for us to win both matches. The six points are very crucial," Siaisia said.
The foreign legionnaires will be joined by 22 home-based players who will open camp in Abuja on Sunday.
Though Siasia intensified talks to convince former goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama and hit-man Emmanuel Emenike out of retirement, he admitted failure in landing the duo.
According to him, Enyeama, who fell out with Oliseh in Belgium, told him international football was no longer his priority. Siasia said he asked Enyeama to inform him when he is ready to play for the country once again as his experience can still be relied upon.
Siasia, who stressed the essence of the Africa Cup of Nations fixtures against Egypt, said that Nigeria could not afford to lose the home tie to the Pharaohs.
See the list.
See the list.
FOREIGN-BASED PROFESSIONALS:
Goalkeepers:
Carl Ikeme, Wolves, England; Daniel Akpeyi, Chippa United, South Africa.
Defenders:
Kenneth Omeruo, Kasimpasa FC; Turkey, Efe Ambrose, Celtic FC, Scotland; Elderson Echiejile, AS Monaco, France; Stanley Amuzie, Olhanense FC, Portugal; Abdullahi Shehu, Uniao da Madeira, Portugal; Godfrey Oboabona, Caykur Rizespor, Turkey.
Midfielders:
Ogenyi Onazi, Lazio, Italy; John Mikel Obi, Chelsea FC, England;
Kelechi Iheanacho, Manchester City, England; Azubuike Okechukwu, Yeni Matalyspor, Turkey.
Forwards:
Odion Ighalo, Watford FC, England; Aaron Samuel, CSKA Moscow, Russia; Alex Iwobi, Arsenal FC, England; Fanendo Adi, Portland Timbers, USA, Ahmed Musa, CSKA Moscow, Russia; Moses Simon, Gent, Belgium; Victor Moses, West Ham, England; Aminu Umar Osmanlispor FK, Turkey.
HOME -BASED
Goalkeepers:
Ikechukwu Ezenwa (Sunshine Stars); Olufemi Thomas (Enyimba FC); Emmanuel Daniel (Enugu Rangers)
Defenders:
Kalu Orji Okogbue (Enugu Rangers); Chibuzor Okonkwo (FC IfeanyiUbah); Mathew Etim (Enugu Rangers); Austin Oboroakpo (Abia Warriors); Sincere Seth (Rhapsody FC); Segun Oduduwa (Nath Boys); Chima Akas (Akwa United); Chris Madaki (Kano Pillars); Oke Ogogatewho (Sunshine Stars)
Midfielders:
Ifeanyi Mathew (Kano Pillars); Usman Mohammed (FC Taraba); Etebo Oghenekaro (Warri Wolves); Yau Hassan (Wikki Tourists); Stanley Dimgba (Warri Wolves)
Forwards:
Ezekiel Bassey (Enyimba FC); Prince Aggrey (Kano Pillars); Bright Onyedikachi (FC IfeanyiUbah); Chisom Chikatara (Abia Warriors); Godwin Obaje (Wikki Tourists).
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