Nigeria captain John Obi Mikel has not been recalled for Seychelles and Egypt games, with striker Kelechi Iheanacho dropped from the squad to persecute the fixtures.
On Monday, a 23-man list for the final 2019 African Cup of Nations qualifying game against Seychelles and Egypt friendly on March 22 and 26 respectively was released.
Despite his resurgence in the English Championship with Middlesbrough, Mikel has not made the list, his last involvement with the national team dating back to the 2018 World Cup in Russia.
Alongside the underperforming Iheanacho, Villareal youngster Samuel Chukwueze, Brian Idowu, Olamilekan Adeleye, Isaac Success and Chidozie Awaziem were dropped from the team while striker Paul Onuachu - a regular performer in Denmark with FC Midtjylland - has earned a maiden call-up and will be expected to provide competition for returning Odion Ighalo and Victor Osimhen.
Nigeria U20 vice-captain Valentine Ozornwafor has also been handed a first senior invite. Leicester midfielder Wilfried Ndidi makes a return to the side after he was suspended for the decisive South Africa game, taking Mikel Agu's spot.
Bursaspor utility player Abdullahi Shehu, who scored his first goal of the season at the weekend, returned after injury ruled him out of the last engagements.
Also back in the national team fold is first-choice goalkeeper Francis Uzoho, with Daniel Akpeyi and Ikechukwu Ezenwa completing the shot-stopping trio.
Nigeria have already qualified for the 2019 Afcon scheduled for Egypt in June after finishing and start preparation with a clash against the Pharaohs four days after they take on minnows Seychelles.
--
Latest Stories
-
FDA discovers expired food items at Zuarungu SHS storeroom
18 mins -
Bahamas World Relays: Ghana paired with world and Olympic champions in Heat 1
8 hours -
Bahamas 2024 Relays: Star-studded cast ready to put on pre-Paris show
9 hours -
Bahamas Relays preview: clash of global title-winning teams in men’s 4x100m
9 hours -
Arsenal keeper Raya wins Premier League Golden Glove
9 hours -
Iñaki Williams scores twice in Athletic Bilbao’s win over Getafe
9 hours -
Argument with Salah ‘completely resolved’ – Klopp
9 hours -
Reus to leave Dortmund at the end of the season
10 hours -
Uefa confirms 26-man squads for Euro 2024
10 hours -
Teacher Unions press home demands for the new allowances
10 hours -
Media’s failure to hold government accountable for ‘galamsey’ alarming – Mahama
10 hours -
Keta Presbytery urges Akufo-Addo to assent to anti-LGBTQ+ Bill
10 hours -
Ghanaian midfielder Lawrence Ofori nets maiden goal of the season with stunner against Vizela
10 hours -
Community fearful after off-duty policemen shot dead at East Trasacco
10 hours -
Dext Technology partners KNUST to train basic school teachers on STEM
11 hours