Gernot Rohr Unveils the Eagles that will fly over South Africa in AFCON 2019 Qualifier

Nigeria football national team Technical Adviser, Gernot Rohr has called up 23 players for next month’s crucial 2019 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match between the Super Eagles and South Africa’s Bafana Bafana in Johannesburg.
The same set of players will prosecute the friendly encounter against the Cranes of Uganda few days later.

Former U-17 World Cup star forward Victor Osimhen returns after a long time out, with another U-17 World Cup left-footed dazzler Samuel Chukwueze earning his first call-up to the senior squad.
Midfielder Mikel Agu, also gets a recall as well as a surprise call-up for home-based defender Adeleye Olamilekan Aniyikaye.

Nigeria tops her group with nine points, one ahead of second –placed South Africa, their foe in the upcoming game at the FNB Stadium, Johannesburg on Saturday, 17th November.

The Super Eagles will fly from Johannesburg to Asaba on 18th November for the friendly with the Cranes on 20th November.

All the invited players are expected to report directly to Asaba, Delta state from Monday, 12th of November.

THE 23-MAN LIST IN FULL:

GOALKEEPERS
Francis Uzoho (Elche FC, Spain); Ikechukwu Ezenwa (Enyimba FC); Daniel Akpeyi (Chippa United, South Africa)

DEFENDERS
Olaoluwa Aina (Torino FC, Italy); Adeleye Aniyikaye (FC IfeanyiUbah); Semi Ajayi (Rotherham United, England); Bryan Idowu (Lokomotiv Moscow, Russia); William Ekong (Udinese FC, Italy); Leon Balogun (Brighton & Hove Albion, England); Kenneth Omeruo (CD Leganes, Spain); Jamilu Collins (SC Padeborn 07, Germany)

MIDFIELDERS
Oghenekaro Etebo (Stoke City FC, England); John Ogu (Hapoel Be’er Sheva, Israel); Mikel Agu (Vitoria Setubal FC, Portugal)

FORWARDS
Ahmed Musa (Al Nasr FC, Saudi Arabia); Kelechi Iheanacho (Leicester City, England); Moses Simon (Levante FC, Spain); Victor Osimhen (Royal Charleroi SC, Belgium); Odion Ighalo (Changchun Yatai, China); Alex Iwobi (Arsenal FC, England); Samuel Kalu (Bordeaux FC, France); Isaac Success (Watford FC, England); Samuel Chukwueze (Villarreal FC, Spain)

STANDBY
Henry Onyekuru (Galatasaray SK, Turkey); Chidozie Awaziem (FC Porto, Portugal); Nyima Nwagua (Kano Pillars FC); Sunday Adetunji (Enyimba FC); Junior Lokosa (Kano Pillars FC)

ITTF Nigeria Open: I wish more Nigerians can play more in South Africa - S.A Legend, Danisha Patel

Tobi Adesina

The ITTF Challenge Nigeria Open has lived up to expectations as the fans were treated to exciting matches in the preliminary round of the singles events.

The 1200 capacity venue was half filled as the players gave the spectators to cheer from the start to the end of the day one.

Apart from the scintillating performance from the participants, the return of the former Nigerian internationals – Monday Merotohun and Kazeem Nosiru added glamour to the competitions.

Even the foreigners were not left out of the excitement as South Africa’s Danisha Patel believes the quality of play confirmed why Nigeria remains among the best in the world.

An excited Patel said being her first time in Nigeria as she was amazed with the excitement and support that the presence of the fans added to the competition on the first day.

“I am surprised with the kind of support the fans have been giving the players particularly the number of them present at the venue. I was surprised that we could have that kind of number of people coming to the venue on the first day. They support good table tennis and they really understand the game. It is my first time in Nigeria and I am excited that the environment was very conducive for the players. I wish more Nigerians can play more in South Africa, as this will really boost the standard of the game in South Africa” she said.

On Thursday August 10, the fight for places in the main draw of the singles event enter final round as the qualifiers that will compete against the seeded players will know their fate.