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Rohr invites Okoye, Aribo, others for friendly Ukrainian friendly


Fortuna Dusseldorf’s Maduka Okoye and Glasgow Rangers’ Joe Aribo are part of Nigeria’s 23-man squad for a friendly against Ukraine on September 10.

The Super Eagles face Andriy Shevchenko’s men on September 10 as part of their preparations for November’s 2021 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Benin Republic.

Kelechi Iheanacho, Semi Ajayi and Tyronne Ebuehi make a return to the team after missing the 2019 Afcon.

However, there was no place for goalkeeper Daniel Akpeyi and clubless player John Ogu.

Others included for the game are Everton new boy Alex Iwobi, William Troost-Ekong, Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi and Ahmed Musa.

Born in London, 23-year-old Aribo plays as a midfielder in the Scottish Premiership and has featured twice for Steven Gerrard’s side this term.

19-year-old Okoye features for Fortuna Dusseldorf II in the German fourth division and Gernot Rohr will be relying on him to solve Nigeria’s goalkeeping problems.

FULL SQUAD

Goalkeepers: Francis Uzoho (Anorthosis Famagusta, Cyprus); Ikechukwu Ezenwa (Heartland FC); Emil Maduka Okoye (Fortuna Dusseldorf, Germany)

Defenders: Olaoluwa Aina (Torino FC, Italy); Tyronne Ebuehi (FC Benfica, Portugal); Chidozie Awaziem (FC Porto, Portugal); William Ekong (Udinese FC, Italy); Leon Balogun (Brighton & Hove Albion, England); Kenneth Omeruo (CD Leganes, Spain); Jamilu Collins (SC Padeborn 07, Germany); Oluwasemilogo Ajayi (Rotherham United, England)

Midfielders: Alexander Iwobi (Everton FC, England); Wilfred Ndidi (Leicester City, England); Oghenekaro Etebo (Stoke City FC, England); Kelechi Iheanacho (Leicester City, England); Joe Aribo (Glasgow Rangers, Scotland)

Forwards: Ahmed Musa (Al Nassar FC, Saudi Arabia); Victor Osimhen (Lille OSC, France); Moses Simon (Levante FC, Spain); Henry Onyekuru (AS Monaco, France); Samuel Kalu (Girondins Bordeaux, France); Paul Onuachu (FC Midtjyland, Denmark); Samuel Chukwueze (Villarreal FC, Spain)