Lokosa, Ajiboye make Eagles’ 30-man provisional list

By Taofeek Babalola

Super Eagles head coach Gernot Rohr has included the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) top scorer Junior Lokosa in the team’s 30-man provisional squad released on Monday ahead of the next month’s FIFA World Cup in Russia, Sportinglens.blogspot.com reports.

Lokosa, who traveled to Bulgaria on Monday for trials with PFC Ludogrets with a prospect of signing for the club, will battle other top strikers for a place in the final 23-man squad for the Mundial.

The Kano Pillars forward has scored 18 goals in the ongoing Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) and tipped to break league goal record if he stays in the league till the end of the season.

Apart from Lokosa, two other home-based players Ikechuckwu Ezenwa and Dele Ajiboye were also handed the opportunity to compete for a place in the team.

All the 32 participants’ countries have until May 14 to submit their provisional list to the World Football Governing Body.  

The coach named four goalkeepers which include two home-based players, Ikechuckwu Ezenwa, Dele Ajiboye, Daniel Akpei and Francis Uzoho.

The team consist of ten defenders: Williams Ekong, Leon Balogun, Kenneth Omeruo, Elderson Echiejile, Stephen Eze, Ola Aina, Tyronne Ebuehi, Brian Idowu, Chidozie Awaziem and Abdullahi Shehu.

Captain John Obi Mikel leads an 8-man midfield which includes Ogenyi Onazi, Wilfred Ndidi, Joel Obi, Uche Agbo, John Agu, Mikel Agu, Etebo Oghenekaro.

The strikers include Odion Ighalo, Ahmed Musa, Victor Moses, Alex Iwobi, Kelechi Iheanacho, Simon Moses, Junior Lokosa, and Simeon Nwankwo.

Super Eagles 30-Man Provisional World Cup list:

Goal Keepers

Ikechuckwu Ezenwa

Daniel Akpei

Francis Uzoho

Dele Ajiboye

Defenders:

Williams Ekong

Leon Balogun

Kenneth Omeruo

Elderson Echiejile

Stephen Eze

Ola Aina

Tyronne Ebuehi

Brian Idowu

Chidozie Awaziem

Abdullahi Shehu

Midfielders:

Mikel Obi

Ogenyi Onazi

Wilfred Ndidi

Joel Obi

Uche Agbo

John Agu

Mikel Agu

Etebo Oghenekaro

Forward:

Odion Ighalo

Ahmed Musa

Victor Moses

Alex Iwobi

Kelechi Iheanacho

Simon Moses

Junior Lokosa

Simeon Nwankwo