Mikel headlines provisional Super Eagles squad

by Staff Reporter

Wednesday May 15, 2019. 16:00

Former Chelsea midfielder John Obi Mikel has been included Gernot Rohr's 25-man provisional squad for the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt.

Mikel, 32, hasn't played for Nigeria since captaining the side at the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia, but looks set to make his return to the Super Eagles following productive talks with Rohr, on the back of a fruitful six-month spell at Middlesbrough.

Also making a return to the Nigeria squad is Leicester City's Kelechi Iheanacho, who has struggled for form for both club and country of late.

The Super Eagles are favourites to advance from a group that includes Guinea, Madagascar and Burundi.

Nigeria's 25-man provisional squad:

Goalkeepers: Francis Uzoho (Anorthosis Famagusta, Cyprus); Ikechukwu Ezenwa (Katsina United); Daniel Akpeyi (Kaizer Chiefs, South Africa)

Defenders: Olaoluwa Aina (Torino FC, Italy); Abdullahi Shehu (Bursaspor FC, Turkey); Chidozie Awaziem (Caykur Rizespor, Turkey); William Ekong (Udinese, Italy); Leon Balogun (Brighton & Hove Albion, England); Kenneth Omeruo (CD Leganes, Spain); Jamilu Collins (SC Padeborn 07, Germany); Semi Ajayi (Rotherham United, England)

Midfielders: John Mikel Obi (Free Agent); Wilfred Ndidi (Leicester City, England); Oghenekaro Etebo (Stoke City, England); John Ogu (Hapoel Be'er Sheva, Israel)

Forwards: Ahmed Musa (Al Nassr, Saudi Arabia); Victor Osimhen (Royal Charleroi, Belgium); Moses Simon (Levante, Spain); Henry Onyekuru (Galatasaray SK, Turkey); Odion Ighalo (Shanghai Shenhua, China); Alexander Iwobi (Arsenal, England); Samuel Kalu (Girondins Bordeaux, France); Paul Onuachu (FC Midtjylland, Denmark); Kelechi Iheanacho (Leicester City, England); Samuel Chukwueze (Villarreal, Spain)

Standby: Theophilus Afelokhai (Enyimba FC); Bryan Idowu (Lokomotiv Moscow, Russia); Ikouwem Utin (Enyimba); Mikel Agu (Vitoria Setubal, Portugal); Junior Ajayi (Al Ahly, Egypt); Valentine Ozornwafor (Enyimba FC)