Oliseh calls Iheanacho to join Super Eagles

Manchester City striker who has been in impressive form for the Citizens has now been given his maiden invitation to the Super Eagles

The young star Kelechi Iheanacho has been handed a call up to join Nigeria side ahead of next month’s 2018 World Cup qualifiers against Swaziland.

Coach Sunday Oliseh announced him as a late addition to the list of 23 players earlier released on Thursday afternoon.

Iheanacho scored once and set up two assists on Wednesday as Manchester City demolished Crystal Palace 5-1 in the League Cup, but Oliseh, who has been recovering from an illness, only watched a rerun of the game on Thursday.

The coach has now made the 19-year-old his 24th invitee in a squad which also has Arsenal youngster Alex Iwobi, Genk’s Wildred Ndidi as well as the recall of veteran striker, Seattle Sounders’ Obafemi Martins.

Iheanacho, star of the Nigeria U17 World Cup winning side in 2013, will make his debut for the Super Eagles following his exclusion under Stephen Keshi for leaving camp ahead of the 2014 African Nations Championship.

Nigeria will travel to Lobamba for the first leg encounter on November 13 before returning to Port Harcourt for the second leg on November 17.

The winner over two legs will qualifier to the third round of African qualifiers.

FULL LIST

Goalkeepers: Carl Ikeme (Wolverhampton Wanderers, England); Ikechukwu Ezenwa (Sunshine Stars); Dele Alampasu (Club de Sportivo Feirense, Portugal)

Defenders: Abdullahi Shehu (Uniao da Madeira, Portugal); Kalu Orji (Enugu Rangers); Elderson Echiejile (AS Monaco, France); Chima Akas (Sharks FC); Leon Balogun (FSV Mainz, Germany); Godfrey Oboabona (Caykur Rizespor, Turkey); Efe Ambrose (Celtic FC, Scotland); Austin Oboroakpo (Abia Warriors)

Midfielders: Ogenyi Onazi (SS Lazio, Italy); Paul Onobi (Sunshine Stars); John Mikel Obi (Chelsea FC, England); Rabiu Ibrahim (AS Trencin, Slovakia); Wilfred Ndidi (KRC Genk, Belgium); Sylvester Igbonu (FC UFA, Russia)

Forwards: Ahmed Musa (CSKA Moscow, Russia); Moses Simon (KAA Gent, Belgium); Odion Ighalo (Watford FC, England); Ezekiel Bassey (Enyimba FC); Alex Iwobi (Arsenal FC, England); Obafemi Martins (Seattle Sounders, USA), Kelechi Iheanacho (Manchester City, England)