Odemwingie out of Iran friendly

SuperSport.com – ABUJA, The Super Eagles selectors have made adjustment to the Nigerian squad that will face their Iranian counterparts in an international friendly in Tehran on November 17 with Osaze Odemwingie being the big-name player to be left out.

SuperSport.com learnt that the duo of Odemwingie and Abdulwasiu Sowemimo earlier named in the side have been left out. Odemwingie was left out on grounds that he needs time to recover from injury while Kano Pillars’ centre-back, Sowemimo, is currently nursing an injury.

The national team selectors have called up VVV-Venlo defender, Alex Nkume, as replacement for injured Sowemimo while Chukwuma Akabueze of Odd Grenland in Norway replaces Odemwingie.

Also, Joseph Yobo has been added to the team after he was initially left out of the side ahead of the tune-up game next month. The addition of Yobo brings the number of players invited for the match to 21.

Others in the team are Dele Aiyenugba (Bnei-Yehuda), Bassey Akpan (Heartland), Emmanuel Anyanwu, Valentine Nwabili (both Enyimba), Dele Adeleye (Metalurh Donetsk), Chibuzor Okonkwo (Heartland), Taye Taiwo (Olympique Marseille) and Michael Odibe (Siena).

Kalu Uche (Almeria), Eneji Otekpa (Enyimba), Fengor Ogude (Valerenga), Sani Kaita (Metallist Donetsk), Ayo Saka (Ocean Boys), Ahmed Musa (VVV Venlo), Obafemi Martins (Rubin Kazan), Edward Ofere (Lecce), Obinna Nsofor (West Ham) and John Owoeri (Ismaily) complete the list.