WC qualifiers: Ndidi, Etebo missing as Rohr names squad for CAR double header

Calvin Ughelumba of Glasgow Rangers FC has been handed a maiden call up to the Super Eagles by Gernot Rohr, as the team’s technical adviser invited twenty-three players for the upcoming 2022 FIFA World Cup double-header qualifying games against the Central African Republic (CAR).

Rohr has kept faith with his troops as the three-time African champions continue their quest to book a ticket to the football tournament in Qatar next year.

Those included in the list are Ahmed Musa, William Troost-Ekong, Maduka Okoye, Francis Uzoho, Kenneth Omeruo, Shehu Abdulahi, and Olaoluwa Aina.

Wilfred Ndidi and Oghenekaro Etebo are missing due to injury while Kevin Akpoguma, who missed the last games as a result of illness, is included to beef up the rear.

Others on the roster include Daniel Akpeyi, Chidozie Awaziem, Leon Balogun, Jamilu Collins, Frank Onyeka, Alex Iwobi, Kelechi Iheanacho, and Joseph Ayodele-Aribo.

Moses Simon, Victor Osimhen, Chidera Ojuke, Paul Onuachu and Samuel Kalu also made the list.

After taking all six points from their first two matches against Liberia and Cape Verde, the Eagles will be hoping to get another six points against CAR.

The matchday three encounter will hold at the Teslim Balogun Stadium in Lagos on October 7 with the return leg set for Douala in Cameroon — presently the “home” of the CAR national teams — on October 10.

Victory in both games will guarantee the Super Eagles 12 points and express passage to the knockout rounds of the 2022 World Cup scheduled for March 2022 in Qatar.

See the full list below:

Goalkeepers: Francis Uzoho (AC Omonia, Cyprus); Daniel Akpeyi (Kaizer Chiefs, South Africa); Maduka Okoye (Sparta Rotterdam, The Netherlands)

Defenders: Chidozie Awaziem (Alanyaspor FC, Turkey); Kenneth Omeruo (CD Leganes, Spain); Leon Balogun (Glasgow Rangers, Scotland); William Ekong (Watford FC, England); Olaoluwa Aina (Torino FC, Italy); Jamilu Collins (SC Padeborn 07, Germany); Abdullahi Shehu (AC Omonia, Cyprus); Calvin Ughelumba (Glasgow Rangers, Scotland); Kevin Akpoguma (TSG Hoffenheim, Germany)

Midfielders: Frank Onyeka (Brentford FC, England); Joseph Ayodele-Aribo (Galsgow Rangers, Scotland); Innocent Bonke (Malmo FF, Sweden); Alex Iwobi (Everton FC, England); Kelechi Iheanacho (Leicester City, England)

Forwards: Ahmed Musa (Fatih Karagumruk, Turkey); Samuel Kalu (FC Bordeaux, France); Victor Osimhen (Napoli FC, Italy); Moses Simon (FC Nantes, France); Paul Onuachu (KRC Genk, Belgium); Chidera Ejuke (CSKA Moscow, Russia)