Qatar 2022: Rohr Names 23-Man Squad Against Central African Republic

By Akinwale Kasali

Super Eagles Coach, Gernot Rohr, has finally announced a 23-Man team that will trade tackles with the Les Fauves Football Team of the Central African Republic in a double header for the Qatar 2022 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers.

The Franco-German tactician has named team Captain, Ahmed Musa, his deputy, William Troost Ekong, alongside Napoli of Italy Football Club gangling striker, Victor Osimhen with 20 other players to tackle their African opponent.

According to the official statement by the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, 21-year-old Calvin Bassey who plays for Scottish giants, Rangers, as a left-back/centre-back was handed his maiden Nigeria call-up.

The invited players are:

Goalkeepers: Francis Uzoho (AC Omonia, Cyprus); Daniel Akpeyi (Kaizer Chiefs, South Africa); Maduka Okoye (Sparta Rotterdam, The Netherlands).

Defenders: Chidozie Awaziem (Alanyaspor FC, Turkey); Kenneth Omeruo (CD Leganes, Spain); Leon Balogun (Glasgow Rangers, Scotland); William Ekong (Watford FC, England); Olaoluwa Aina (Torino FC, Italy); Jamilu Collins (SC Paderborn 07, Germany); Abdullahi Shehu (AC Omonia, Cyprus); Calvin Bassey (Glasgow Rangers, Scotland); Kevin Akpoguma (TSG Hoffenheim, Germany)

Midfielders: Frank Onyeka (Brentford FC, England); Joseph Ayodele-Aribo (Glasgow Rangers, Scotland); Innocent Bonke (Malmo FF, Sweden); Alex Iwobi (Everton FC, England); Kelechi Iheanacho (Leicester City, England)

Forwards: Ahmed Musa (Fatih Karagumruk, Turkey); Samuel Kalu (FC Bordeaux, France); Victor Osimhen (Napoli FC, Italy); Moses Simon (FC Nantes, France); Paul Onuachu (KRC Genk, Belgium); Chidera Ejuke (CSKA Moscow, Russia).

The Nigeria National team sit on top their Group log having recorded an 100 percent record in their two outings against Liberia at the Teslim Balogun Stadium in Lagos, Nigeria and the Blue Sharks of Cape Verde at the Mindelo National Stadium in Praia, Cape Verde.

Nigeria will play Central African Republic on October 7th in Lagos at the Teslim Balogun Stadium and later travel to Douala in Cameroon to face Central African Republic in Four days time.

Cameroon has been the home of the Nigeria opponent due to unrest in their country.

Wins from the double header will automatically qualify the Super Eagles for the final phase of the African World Cup qualification series depending on the outcome of the double header between Cape Verde and Liberia.

The wins will push the Nigeria National team to 12 points, having defeated Liberia 2-0 and Cape Verde 2-1 with Liberia having just Three Points with Cape Verde and Central African Republic having one points apiece.