Mikel Returns To Nigeria Squad Ahead Intl’ Friendly

Nigeria have named fit-again Chelsea midfielder John Obi Mikel in an initial 35-man squad for a friendly against South Korea on 11 August.

Mikel returns to the line-up after missing out on the 2010 World Cup in South Africa with a knee injury.

The squad, which has been selected by the Super Eagles’ assistant boss Austin Eguavoen, features a large number of locally based players.

Eguavoen is in charge whilst the future of coach Lars Lagerback is resolved.

A final decision on the position of the Swede Lagerback is to be made next week.

Strikers Ikechukwu Uche and Joseph Akpala have also been recalled, after they were left out of the Super Eagles’ party for South Africa.

The friendly is a warm-up for Nigeria’s 2012 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Madagascar on 4 September in Abuja.

Overseas-based players:

John Obi Mikel (Chelsea, England), Dickson Etuhu (Fulham, England), Kalu Uche (Almeria, Spain), Osaze Odemwingie (Lokomotiv Moscow, Russia), Obinna Nsofor (Malaga, Spain), Haruna Lukman (Monaco, France), Ikechukwu Uche (Zaragoza, Spain), Obafemi Martins (Rubin Kazan, Russia), Ayodele Adeleye (Sparta Rotterdam, Netherlands), Daniel Shittu (Bolton Wanderers, England), Vincent Enyeama (Hapoel Tel Aviv, Israel), Elderson Echiejile (Sporting Braga, Portugal), Joseph Akpala (FC Brugge, Belgium).

Nigerian-based players:

Bassey Akpan (Bayelsa FC), Terna Suswam (Lobi Stars), Valentine Nwabili (Enyimba FC), Gabriel Reuben (Enyimba FC), Promise Onuh (Tornadoes FC), Ahmed Musa (Kano Pillars), Solomon Okpako (Kano Pillars), Uche Nwofor (3SC), Gbolahan Salami (Sunshine FC), Taiwo Hassan (3SC), Eugene Salami (Tornadoes FC), Chigozie Agbim (Warri Wolves), Moses Bunde (Lobi Stars), Nnaemeka Anyanwu (Enyimba FC), Emmanuel Anyanwu (Enyimba FC), Chidiebere Okoli (Sharks FC), King Osanga (Heartland FC), John Owoeri (Heartland FC), Femi Balogun (Kaduna United), Ugwu Uwadiegu (Rangers FC), Suleiman Ismaila (Lobi Stars), Fengor Ogude (Warri Wolves).