Stoke City forwards Victor Moses and Osaze Odemwingie were the notable big name exclusions from the Super Eagles 23-man squad for the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Congo and South Africa in September.

The Eagles, who are the reigning African champions, begin their title defence against the Red Devils of Congo in Calabar on September 6, before flying to Cape Town to take on the Bafana Bafana four days later.

Fifteen players from the 2014 World Cup squad made the cut for the AFCON qualifiers. The exclusion of Moses, who just sealed a season-long loan deal at Stoke, may have arisen from an indifferent performance at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, where he was also involved in a spat with officials.

Also left out from the list released by the Nigeria Football Federation on Tuesday are the duo of Reuben Gabriel, Ejike Uzoenyi, Michael Uchebo and Babatunde Michael, who were all part of the squad in Brazil.

Hull City forward Sone Aluko however made a return to the squad alongside Schalke 04 man, Chinedu Obasi. Former England youth international Aluko has made just one appearance for the Eagles – against Ireland in 2009 – despite being handed several invitations in the past.

Obasi’s last game for Nigeria was in a 0-0 friendly draw against Botswana in November 2011, in what was Stephen Keshi’s first game in charge of the national team.

There were also call-ups for homeboys Warri Wolves in-form striker Gbolahan Salami and Enugu Rangers’ Christian Osaguona.

The quartet of Elderson Echiejile (Monaco) Joel Obi (Inter Milan), Nosa Igiebor (Macabi Tel Aviv) and Nnamdi Oduamadi (Crotone), who were all last minute exclusions from the trip to Brazil, are back in the team.

With Joseph Yobo’s retirement from international football, the qualifiers will see goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama taking over as captain of the national side.