International Friendly: Rohr Recalls Ezenwa, 25 Other Home-Based Players For Mexico

By Akinwale Kasali

Super Eagles third choice goalkeeper to the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia and the 2019 African Cup of Nations tournament in Egypt, Ikechukwu Ezenwa, has received a surprise call

-up from Coach Gernot Rohr for the international friendly match against Mexico in the United States of America, next month.

The 32-year old Heartland Football Club goalkeeper, after a lengthy absence had been called back in the Super Eagles set-up.

His last invitation to the Super Eagles set up was against Brazil on October 13, 2019, in Singapore.

In that encounter, which ended 1-1, the 32-year-old was an unused substitute as Rohr preferred Francis Uzoho in goal to him, before he was substituted for Maduka Okoye in the 63rd minute.

However, Nigeria will be parading only its Professional Football League stars against the CONCACAF nation.

Others invited for the clash against Mexico are Enyimba goalkeeper John Noble, Rivers United’s Ifeanyi Anaemena, Enugu Rangers’ Ibrahim Olawoyin and Kwara United’s Stephen Jude.

The invited players are expected to report at the Serob Legacy Hotel, Wuye, Abuja on Tuesday, June 22, with their travel documents.

Nonetheless, only 22 players will make the trip to the USA.

The last meet between the two countries was in a friendly match en route to the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil which ended goalless at the Georgia Dome, with goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa making a couple of fine saves to deny the Super Eagles.

The invited home based players are:

Goalkeepers: Ikechukwu Ezenwa (Heartland FC); John Noble (Enyimba FC)

Defenders: Olisa Ndah (Akwa United); Adekunle Adeleke (Abia Warriors); Tope Olusesi (Rangers International); Ifeanyi Anaemena (Rivers United); Christopher Nwaeze (Kwara United); Enyinnaya Kazie (Rivers United); Mohammed Zirkiflu (Plateau United); Imoh Ubot (Enyimba FC); Tebo Franklin Degaulle (Nasarawa United); Lawal Oriyomi Murtala (Kwara United)

Midfielders: Anthony Shimaga (Rangers International); Seth Mayi (Akwa United); Uche Nwasonaya (Plateau United); Samuel Nnoshiri (Katsina United); Ekundayo Ojo (Enyimba FC)

Forwards: Anayo Iwuala (Enyimba FC); Stephen Jude (Kwara United); Ibrahim Olawoyin (Rangers International); Charles Ashimene (Akwa United); Chinonso Ezekwe (Rangers International); Auwalu Ali Malam

(Kano Pillars); Neurot Emmanuel (Plateau United); Abdulmutalif Sanusi (Katsina United)