Russia 2018: Omeruo, Nwakaeme, Olanrewaju dicey

Unless his club form improves tremendously, Brazil 2014 World Cup star, Kenneth Omeruo will not make Nigeria’s squad to next year’s edition of the world cup.

Also in danger of missing the party are Anthony Nwakaeme and Kayode Olanrewaju, both of who were in the fringes of the squad during the Russia 2018 World Cup qualifying series.

Gernot Rohr has a 33-man list from which he will select his final 23 players for the World Cup.According to some insiders at the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Rohr already has his first 15 players and will determine the remaining eight spots through the various friendly games lined up for the Super Eagles as preparatory matches for Russia 2018.

Omeruo, Nwakaeme and Olanrewaju are in the list, but sources close to Rohr say they are among the eight who must prove why they should be in the squad to Russia during the friendly games.

Former Super Eagles stalwart, Obafemi Martins and Ramon Azeez are said to be on the fringes of the team and could only get serious attention if any of the players that featured in the qualifiers got tournament threatening injury.

Goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama’s case is slightly different as his inclusion depends on what he does at the club level before the final World Cup list is made.

In Coach Rohr’s 33-man list are goalkeepers Ikechukwu Ezenwa, Daniel Akpeyi and Francis Uzoho. Vincent Enyeama is on standby.

The defenders are Elderson Echiejile, Shehu Abdullahi, Ola Aina, William Troost Ekong, Leon Balogun, Tyronne Ebuehi, Bryan Idowu, Chidozie Awaziem and Kenneth Omeruo.Skipper John Obi Mikel leads the midfield,

which has also Wilfred Ndidi, Ogenyi Onazi, John Ogu, Mikel Agu, Ogenekaro Etebo and Alex Iwobi, while in attack are Odion Ighalo, Kelechi Iheanacho, Ahmed Musa, Victor Moses and Moses Simon.

Others are Henry Onyekuru, Kayode Olanrewaju and Anthony Nwakaeme.At the Brazil 2014 World Cup, Nigeria listed three goalkeepers, eight defenders, five midfielders and seven attackers in a squad criticised for being too light in some areas, especially the defence and midfield.

Frank Jumbo with Agency Report