Deportivo’s keeper Uzoho, Nwakali get Eagles’ first call-up

Deportivo de La Coruña's goalkeeper Francis Uzoho and Manchester City young star Chidiebere Nwakali has been handed their first call-up to the Nigeria national team, being named in the Super Eagles’ 24-man squad to face Algeria (November 10), before facing two-time world champions Argentina (November 14) in an international friendly in Southern Russia.

Uzoho, who has kept in two La Liga games for Deportivo La Coruna, was name among the three goalkkepers invited for the games.

Also Nwakali, who won the U17 World Cup with Nigeria in in 2013, didn’t burst on to the scene at Manchester City like Kelechi Iheanacho, having had unproductive loans spells at Atlético Malagueño and Girona FC in Spain before finding his feet in Norway with IK Start and Sogndal Fotball, where he is currently stationed.

However, his impressive form in Norway’s Tippeligaen has led to him being summoned by Rohr for the two matches.

Super Eagles defender Elderson Echieijle and Chelsea wing-back Victor Moses were omitted from the latest squad  but Leon Balogun, who had been struggling with his fitness after undergoing surgery, and the injured Hapoel Beer Sheva midfielder John Ogu made the list.

In the event of any player in the squad suffering an injury, the Nigeria Football Federation have placed Kenneth Omeruo, Alhassan Ibrahim and the uncapped Brian Idowu on the standby list.

The players are expected to start arriving the team's camp in Morocco on Sunday, November 5.

Nigeria Roster For Algeria, Argentina Matches

Goalkeepers (3): Daniel Akpeyi (Chippa United, South Africa); Ikechukwu Ezenwa (FC IfeanyiUbah); Francis Uzoho (Deportivo La Coruna, Spain).

Defenders (7): William Ekong (Bursaspor FC, Turkey); Abdullahi Shehu (Anorthosis Famagusta, Cyprus); Tyronne Ebuehi (ADO Den Haag, The Netherlands); Leon Balogun (FSV Mainz 05, Germany); Uche Agbo (Standard Liege, Belgium); Chidozie Awaziem (Nantes FC, France); Olaoluwa Aina (Hull City, England).

Midfielders (7): Mikel John Obi (Tianjin Teda, China); Ogenyi Onazi (Trabzonspor FC, Turkey); Wilfred Ndidi (Leicester City, England); Oghenekaro Etebo (CD Feirense, Portugal); John Ogu (Hapoel Be’er Sheva, Israel); Mikel Agu (Bursaspor FC, Turkey); Chidiebere Nwakali (Sogndal FC, Norway).

Forwards (7): Ahmed Musa (Leicester City, England); Kelechi Iheanacho (Leicester City, England); Moses Simon (KAA Gent, Belgium); Alex Iwobi (Arsenal FC, England); Odion Ighalo (Chang Chun-Yatai, China); Henry Onyekuru (RSC Anderlecht, Belgium); Anthony Nwakaeme (Hapoel Be’er Sheva, Israel).

 STANDBY: Kenneth Omeruo (Kasimpasa FC, Turkey); Alhassan Ibrahim (FK Austria Wien, Austria); Brian Idowu (FC Amkar Perm, Russia).