Yakubu And Obafemi Martins Not Picked By Nigeria For Tunisia World Cup Clash

Nigeria will be without Everton striker Yakubu Aiyegbeni and Obafemi Martins of Wolfsburg for next month’s crunch World Cup qualifier against Tunisia in Abuja. 

Nigeria coach, Shuaibu Amodu, who announced a 21-man squad for the Group Two qualifier on September 6, said he left out both strikers because they are yet to attain full match fitness after recovering from injuries.

Yakubu was out with a long-term Achilles tendon injury, while Martins underwent surgery on a hernia in the summer.

However, Amodu has recalled Hoffenheim forward Chinedu Obasi for the Tunisia clash. He said he was delighted Obasi has recovered from an injury which prevented him from being part of the team in June.

Tunisa lead Group Two with seven points from three matches, two points more than closest rivals Nigeria.

The full squad

Goalkeepers:  Austin Ejide (Bastia/FRA), Vincent Enyeama (Hapoel Tel Aviv/ISR), Dele Aiyenugba (Bnei-Yehuda/ISR)

Defenders: Onyekachi Apam (Nice/FRA), Elderson Echiejile (Rennes/FRA), Adefemi Olubayo (Boulogne/FRA), Taye Taiwo (Olympique Marseille/FRA) Joseph Yobo (Everton/ENG),Dele Adeleye (Sparta Rotterdam/NED), Oluwafemi Ajilore (Groningen/NED)

Midfielders: John Mikel Obi (Chelsea/ENG), Sani Kaita (Rubin Kazan/RUS),Yusuf Ayila (Dynamo Kiev/UKR),Seyi Olofinjana (Hull City/ENG), Kalu Uche (Almeria/SPA

Strikers: Nwankwo Kanu (Portsmouth/ENG),Chinedu Ogbuke (Hoffenheim/GER) Osaze Odemwingie (Locomotiv Moscow/RUS), Obinna Nsofor (Inter Milan/ITA), Michael Eneramo (Esperance/TUN), Ikechukwu Uche (Real Zaragoza/SPA)

Samm Audu, Goal.com