Super Eagles, Gernot Rohr, finally made public his 30-man provisional squad for the FIFA World Cup in Russia.
There weren’t too many surprises, though, as all the players who prosecuted the qualifying campaign made the list.
However, few others expected to break into the fray didn’t. Here are four of such.
Vincent Enyeama
The debate is over. Ex-skipper, Vincent Enyeama, won’t be in Russia. Despite being idle throughout the campaign at Lille, the veteran netminder was forecasted to break into the squad. Especially with the other custodians faltering. However, Rohr has decided to allow the 35-year-old enjoy his retirement plan.
Henry Onyekuru
Henry Onyekuru will be heartbroken and hurt to have missed the plane to Russia. The youngster was by miles Nigeria’s best attacker in Europe during the first stanza before suffering a season-ending injury. The Everton winger on loan at Anderlecht hasn’t featured since then. He had hoped to make the party so as to qualify him for English work permit.
Junior Ajayi
How does one justify Nigeria’s best forward on the continent not making the provisional squad? Exactly Junior Ajayi’s dilemma. The ex-Shooting Stars man was the only Nigerian in CAF’s Team of the Year after another fabulous goal-laden season at Al Ahly. He hit double figures for the second year on the trot for the Egyptian champions yet snubbed by his country.
Olarenwaju Kayode
Very few Nigerians can boost a championship medal from the concluding European season. Olarenwaju Kayode, meanwhile, has two having swept the Ukrainian double with Shakhtar Donetsk. The on-loan Manchester City forward grabbed three goals in just three starts.
