By Joe Apu
Ahead the Super Eagles international friendly matches billed for London this month against Senegal and Burkina Faso, Technical Adviser of the team, Gernot Rohr has dropped three of his regular players now based in China.
According to the list of invited players complied by the coach and made available to Daily Sunsports, team’s captain, John Mikel Obi (Tianjin Teda), Odion Ighalo (Changchun Yatai) and Brown Ideye (Tianjin Teda) all of whom recently completed moves to the millionaire Chinese Super League were left out.
In their place, the Franco-German tactician has invited Wilfred Ndidi of Leicester City of England, FIFA U-17 highest goalscorer, Victor Osihmen (Wolfsburg FC, Germany) and Noah Joel Bazee (Hannover 96, Germany).
In an effort to shore up the back line of the Super Eagles, the coach invited Holland –based defender, Tyronne Ebuehi who will join up with the squad for the first time to compliment experienced left back, Elderson Echiejile and Portugal –based Chidozie Awaziem.
Others include Israel –based John Ogu and Watford FC of England forward Isaac Success who were also called.
Also listed are goalkeeper Carl Ikeme, midfielder Ogenyi Onazi and forwards Ahmed Musa and Kelechi Iheanacho as well as home –based goalkeeper Ikechukwu Ezenwa, defenders Leon Balogun and William Ekong. Midfielder Oghenekaro Etebo and forwards Victor Moses, Alex Iwobi and Moses Simon also made the list.
The Super Eagles will be up against Senegal’s Teranga Lions on Thursday, 23rd March before taking on the Etalons of Burkina Faso four days later. Both matches will be played at The Hive, home ground of Barnet Football Club.
Meanwhile, Super Eagles striker, Victor Moses had extended his stay at Chelsea until 2021. The 26-year-old has established himself as a regular in the side this season, playing an integral role in the club’s pursuit of silverware under Antonio Conte.
Upon signing the two-year extension to his deal, which will now run until 2021, Moses said: ‘I feel very excited. I’m delighted to be here for another few years now and to sign a new deal. Now it’s time to concentrate on the team and keep working hard to make sure we win games and try to win the Premier League this season.
‘We’re having a great season, I’m enjoying my football and we have a good manager here that has given every single one of us confidence. I just want to keep on enjoying it and working hard for the team.’
Technical director Michael Emenalo added: ‘We are extremely pleased Victor has chosen to extend his contract with us. He is enjoying an excellent season and, under Antonio’s leadership, has proved to be an important member of the squad.
‘This new contract is testament to Victor’s hard work and dedication to succeed at Chelsea and we believe he will be a big part of our future success.’
The Nigerian international, Moses has produced incredible consistency in his performances, starting every Premier League game since 1 October when he was named in the line-up away at Hull City.
It was in that fixture that Conte switched to a 3-4-3 formation for the first time and Moses, deployed in an unfamiliar right wing-back role, impressed in a 2-0 victory. Since then, he has gone from strength to strength, growing in stature with every game and thriving under Conte’s guidance.
In total, Moses has made 72 appearances for the Blues, 28 coming so far this season, scoring 14 goals.