Nigeria has finally named their 23-man squad to the 2018 World Cup in Russia. The Super Eagles manager Gernot Rohr announced his final list hours after 2-1 loss to England in a buildup match. Nigeria is in Group D with Argentina, Iceland, and Croatia where they are favorites, alongside Argentina, to make it through to the next round.

Ola Aina dropped

Ola Aina (on loan at Hull City from Chelsea) and Mikel Agu (Bursaspor loanee from Porto) are among the notable names who had initially been selected for the provisional squad but have been dropped from the final list.

The two are however on the standby list and will still travel to Russia with the team.

The Nigerian squad includes promising 19-year old goalkeeper Francis Uzoho. 31-year old Chippa United goalkeeper Daniel Akpeyi is the oldest member of the squad. Four foreign-born players have also been picked for the Super Eagles. They include Leon Balogun (Brighton and Hove Albion), Troost-Ekong (Bursaspor), Tyronne Ebuehi (Benfica) and Brian Idowu (FC Amkar Perm).

Captain John Obi Mikel, alongside Alex Iwobi, Victor Moses, Wilfred Ndidi and Kelechi Iheanacho is expected to lead Nigeria’s charge at the World Cup. The Super Eagles kick off their campaign against Croatia, on June 16 at Kaliningrad Stadium, before meeting Iceland and Argentina.

The following is the full Nigerian squad to Russia.

Final 23-man squad

31-year old Chippa United goalkeeper is expected to battle for the number one spot with 19-year old Francis Uzoho and Ikechukwu Ezenwa. Uzoho plies his trade in Spain for Deportivo La Coruna while Ezenwa plays for Nigerian side Enyimba. Brighton's new signing Leon Balogun, the Turkey-based trio of Abdullahi Shehu, Kenneth Omeruo and William Ekong alongside Tyronne Ebuehi, Chidozie Awaziem, Bryan Idowu and Elderson Echiejile are the defenders named to the side.

The Super Eagles midfield will consist of John Obi Mikel, Wilfred Ndidi, Ogenyi Onazi, John Ogu, Oghenekaro Etebo and Joel Obi. Alex Iwobi, Odion Ighalo, Ahmed Musa, Victor Moses, Simeon Nwankwo and Kelechi Iheanacho will headline the Super Eagles attack. Fitness concerns had initially cast doubts as to whether Victor Moses would make the final list.

Meanwhile, the Super Eagles fashionable World Cup jerseys sold out minutes after being released with Nike receiving three million pre-orders. Nike, in a tweet, said they had no plans of restocking the jerseys. This is expected to drive up demand for counterfeit jerseys.
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