Super Eagles: Mikel, Ighalo to arrive Nigeria this weekend

Mikel and Ighalo will not be in action for their Chinese clubs this weekend and will be first Super Eagles arrivals.

China-based Super Eagles players Mikel Obi and Odion Ighalo will arrive Nigeria this weekend ahead of the crucial 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Zambia.

The Super Eagles of Nigeria will host Zambia in Uyo on Saturday, October 7 and need a win in that game to qualify for their sixth World Cup tournament.

Mikel and China who both play in China have been, as expected included in the squad for the qualifier and will be the first Super Eagles arrivals ahead of the game.

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Mikel’s Tianjin TEDA will play their Chinese Super League (CSL) game against Guizhou Zhicheng on Wednesday, October 26 while Ighalo’s Changchun Yatai do not have a league game until Friday, October 13.

Europe-based Super Eagles stars will only start arriving from Monday, October 2 due to club commitments over the weekend.

The Super Eagles of Nigeria are top of Group B of the African zone qualifiers with 10 points while Zambia are second with seven points.

Super Eagles squad for Zambia

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Goalkeepers: Daniel Akpeyi (Chippa United, South Africa); Ikechukwu Ezenwa (FC IfeanyiUbah); Ayodele Ajiboye (Plateau United FC)

Defenders: William Ekong (Bursaspor FC, Turkey); Abdullahi Shehu (Anorthosis Famagusta, Cyprus); Leon Balogun (FSV Mainz 05, Germany); Elderson Echiejile (Sivasspor FC, Turkey); Uche Agbo (Standard Liege, Belgium); Chidozie Awaziem (Nantes FC, France); Olaoluwa Aina (Hull City, England)

Midfielders: Mikel John Obi (Tianjin Teda, China); Ogenyi Onazi (Trabzonspor FC, Turkey); Wilfred Ndidi (Leicester City, England); Oghenekaro Etebo (CD Feirense, Portugal); John Ogu (Hapoel Be’er Sheva, Israel); Mikel Agu (Bursaspor FC, Turkey)

Forwards: Ahmed Musa (Leicester City, England); Kelechi Iheanacho (Leicester City, England); Moses Simon (KAA Gent, Belgium); Alex Iwobi (Arsenal FC, England); Odion Ighalo (Chang Chun-Yatai, China); Victor Moses (Chelsea FC, England); Anthony Nwakaeme (Hapoel Be’er Sheva, Israel)

Standby: Dele Alampasu (Cesarense FC, Portugal); Tyronne Ebuehi (ADO Den Haag, The Netherlands); Aaron Samuel (CSKA Moscow, Russia); Afeez Aremu (Akwa United); Ifeanyi Ifeanyi (Akwa United)