Azeez is ‘happy to be back’ as Rohr names squad for Brazil clash

Five years after his first invitation to the Super Eagles, Ramon Azeez has made Gernot Rohr’s 23-man list for the international friendly match with Brazil in Singapore.

Rohr’s boys will take on five-time world champions on Sunday, October 13 at the Singapore national stadium in Kallang.

Kenneth Omeruo, Abdullahi Shehu and Chidozie Awaziem are back from injury, otherwise, the squad is largely unchanged from the side that was forced to a 2-2 draw with Ukraine in Dnipro on September 10.

The goalkeepers, Francis Uzoho, Ikechukwu Ezenwa and Maduka Okoye, were retained, but England–based Leon Balogun and Russia–based Bryan Idowu are left out of the defence equation.

Speaking with TheCable, Azeez said: “I feel so happy to have gotten an invitation to the Super Eagles team after five years absence.

“My hard work has finally paid off and I won’t disappoint the coach if called upon to feature against Brazil.

“I know that it won’t be easy breaking into the first eleven but I am ready to fight for a shirt in this talented squad.”

Azeez got his first Super Eagles call-up on February 3, 2014, for a friendly game against Mexico and played the entire second half in a 0–0 draw at Georgia Dome.

Alex Iwobi, Oghenekaro Etebo and Scotland–based Joseph Ayodele-Aribo, who scored on his debut against Ukraine, are all back in midfield, with Victor Osimhen, Samuel Chukwueze, Moses Simon, Samuel Kalu, Paul Onuachu and Emmanuel Dennis all back in the frontline.

Substantive captain Ahmed Musa is still down with injury.

All invited players are expected to arrive in Singapore on Wednesday, October 9.

This is the first time in 23 years that both sides will meet after Nigeria, on their way to winning Africa’s first Olympic football gold medal, spanked the Selecao in the semi-finals at the Athens Stadium in Georgia, USA.

Here is a full list of the invited squad:

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

Defenders: Olaoluwa Aina (Torino FC, Italy); Abdullahi Shehu (Bursaspor FC, Turkey); Chidozie Awaziem (CD Leganes, Spain); William Ekong (Udinese FC, Italy); Kenneth Omeruo (CD Leganes, Spain); Jamilu Collins (SC Padeborn 07, Germany); Oluwasemilogo Ajayi (West Bromwich Albion, England)

Midfielders: Alexander Iwobi (Everton FC, England); Anderson Esiti (PAOK Salonica, Greece); Oghenekaro Etebo (Stoke City FC, England); Wilfred Ndidi (Leicester City, England); Joseph Ayodele-Aribo (Glasgow Rangers, Scotland); Ramon Azeez (Granada FC, Spain)

Forwards: Victor Osimhen (Lille OSC, France); Moses Simon (FC Nantes, France); Samuel Chukwueze (Villarreal FC, Spain); Samuel Kalu (Girondins Bordeaux, France); Paul Onuachu (KRC Genk, Belgium); Emmanuel Dennis (Club Brugge, Belgium); Peter Olayinka (SK Slavia Prague, Czech Republic)