Mikel left out of Chad encounter

Chelsea midfielder, John Obi Mikel, has been left out of the team to face Chad in the June 13 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifying match in Kaduna.

But coach Stephen Keshi has invited goalkeeper and captain Vincent Enyeama and 14 other foreign-based professionals for the game scheduled for the Ahmadu Bello Stadium.

The Lille of France keeper is joined by defenders Godfrey Oboabona and Kenneth Omeruo, midfielders Ogenyi Onazi and Babatunde Michael and forward Ahmed Musa, who were all at last year’s FIFA World Cup finals in Brazil.

Right-back Leon Balogun, Israel-based John Ogu, former Switzerland junior international Steven Ukoh, China-based Aaron Samuel and Odion Ighalo, whose 20 league goals helped Championship side Watford FC to the Barclays Premier League, have also been called alongside former junior international Rabiu Ibrahim.

New faces William Troost-Ekong, a defender based in the Netherlands, Kingsley Madu of AS Trencin in Slovakia and Portugal-based Anderson Esiti complete the list.

THE FULL LIST

Goalkeeper

Vincent Enyeama (Lille OSC, France)

Defenders

Godfrey Oboabona (Rizespor FC, Turkey); Kenneth Omeruo (Middlesbrough FC, England); Leon Balogun (Darmstadt 98, Germany); William Troost-Ekong (FC Dordrecht, The Netherlands); Kingsley Madu (AS Trencin, Slovakia)

Midfielders

Ogenyi Onazi (SS Lazio, Italy); John Ogu (Hapoel Be’er Sheva); Babatunde Michael (Volyn Lutsk, Ukraine); Rabiu Ibrahim (AS Trencin, Slovakia); Anderson Esiti (Estoril FC, Portugal); Steven Ukoh (Biel-Bienne FC, Switzerland)

Forwards

Ahmed Musa (CSKA Moscow, Russia); Aaron Samuel (Guangzhou R & F, China); Odion Ighalo (Watford FC, England)