Former Chelsea midfielder John Obi Mikel has been recalled to the Nigeria squad ahead of the 24 teams 2019 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt next month.
Obi, 32, confirmed his availability a few days ago. He has not played for the Super Eagles since he captained them in the World Cup in Russia.
Mikel’s last match was against Argentina at the 2018 World Cup.
He was included in coach Gernot Rohr 25-man provisional squad after a ‘productive’ meeting.
Another notable inclusion is Leicester City striker Kelechi Iheanacho, who is still in search for his first international goal since scoring against Argentina in November 2017.
Nigeria three-time champions will take on Guinea, Madagascar and Burundi in Group B at the Nations Cup.
The Super Eagles will open their Afcon campaign against Burundi on 22 June at the Alexandria Stadium, Alexandria.
Nigeria’s 25-man provisional squad:
Goalkeepers: Francis Uzoho (Anorthosis Famagusta, Cyprus); Ikechukwu Ezenwa (Katsina United); Daniel Akpeyi (Kaizer Chiefs, South Africa)
Defenders: Olaoluwa Aina (Torino FC, Italy); Abdullahi Shehu (Bursaspor FC, Turkey); Chidozie Awaziem (Caykur Rizespor, Turkey); William Ekong (Udinese, Italy); Leon Balogun (Brighton & Hove Albion, England); Kenneth Omeruo (CD Leganes, Spain); Jamilu Collins (SC Padeborn 07, Germany); Semi Ajayi (Rotherham United, England)
Midfielders: John Mikel Obi (Middlesbrough, England); Wilfred Ndidi (Leicester City, England); Oghenekaro Etebo (Stoke City, England); John Ogu (Hapoel Be’er Sheva, Israel)
Forwards: Ahmed Musa (Al Nassr, Saudi Arabia); Victor Osimhen (Royal Charleroi, Belgium); Moses Simon (Levante, Spain); Henry Onyekuru (Galatasaray SK, Turkey); Odion Ighalo (Shanghai Shenhua, China); Alexander Iwobi (Arsenal, England); Samuel Kalu (Girondins Bordeaux, France); Paul Onuachu (FC Midtjylland, Denmark); Kelechi Iheanacho (Leicester City, England); Samuel Chukwueze (Villarreal, Spain)
Standby: Theophilus Afelokhai (Enyimba FC); Bryan Idowu (Lokomotiv Moscow, Russia); Ikouwem Utin (Enyimba); Mikel Agu (Vitoria Setubal, Portugal); Junior Ajayi (Al Ahly, Egypt); Valentine Ozornwafor (Enyimba FC)
.@NGSuperEagles 25 Man #TotalAFCON2019 Provisional list #SoarSuperEagles #Team9jaStrong pic.twitter.com/j67W8oc9pP
— The NFF ?? (@thenff) May 14, 2019
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