AFCON 2021 Qualifiers: Rohr Recalls Iheanacho, 23 Others For Sierra Leone Double Header

By Akinwale Kasali

For the first time since his appointment as the Assistant Coach of the Super Eagles, Joseph Yobo will be at the sideline with Coach Gernot Rohr in the 2021 African Cup of Nations Qualifiers. It will be against the Sierra Leone National team at the Stephen Okechukwu Keshi Stadium in Asaba, Delta State.

The match, which is a double header, will see the Super Eagles travel to Freetown four days later to play a return leg in the qualification series of the African showpiece.

A victory for the Rohr team will guarantee them a place in the 33rd edition of the African Championship slated for Cameroon, early next year.

Surprisingly, Leicester City Football Club forward, Kelechi Iheanacho, top the list of players invited, likewise out of favour Brighton Hove and Albion Football Club defender, Leon Balogun, alongside Captain and vice captain of the team, the duo of Ahmed Musa and William Troost Ekong.

New invitees to the team are Germany-based defender, Kingsley Ehizibue, on the books of FC Koln in the Bundesliga, and Holland-based forward, Cyril Dessers have been called up for the first time.

The full squad are;

Goalkeepers: Daniel Akpeyi, Kaizer Chiefs, South Africa); Ikechukwu Ezenwa (Heartland FC); Maduka Okoye (Fortuna Dusseldorf, Germany)

Defenders:  Kenneth Omeruo (CD Leganes, Spain); Leon Balogun (Wigan Athletic, England); Chidozie Awaziem (CD Leganes, Spain); William Ekong (Udinese FC, Italy); Olaoluwa Aina (Torino FC, Italy); Jamilu Collins (SC Padeborn 07, Germany); Oluwasemilogo Ajayi (West Bromwich Albion, England); Kingsley Ehizibue (FC Koln, Germany)

Midfielders: Abdullahi Shehu (Bursaspor FC, Turkey); Etebo Oghenekaro (Getafe FC, Spain); Wilfred Ndidi (Leicester City, England); Joseph Ayodele-Aribo (Glasgow Rangers, Scotland); Ramon Azeez (Granada FC, Spain)

Forwards: Ahmed Musa (Al Nassr, Saudi Arabia); Alexander Iwobi (Everton FC, England); Victor Osimhen (Lille OSC, France); Moses Simon (FC Nantes, France); Samuel Chukwueze (Villarreal FC, Spain); Cyril Dessers (Heracles Almelo, The Netherlands); Kelechi Iheanacho (Leicester City, England); Samuel Kalu (Girondins Bordeaux, France)