Ola Aina and Mikel Agu axed as Nigeria announce final World Cup list

Gernot Rohr has announced his final 23-man Nigeria squad for the 2018 Fifa World Cup, with Ola Aina and Mikel Agu getting kicked out.

18 debutants join John Obi Mikel, Ahmed Musa, Ogenyi Onazi, Kenneth Omeruo and Victor Moses in the list that was released after the Super Eagles bowed 2-1 to England at Wembley Stadium.

Elderson Echiejile will be making his first World Cup appearance after losing his place to Ejike Uzoenyi in Brazil 2014 due to injury.

Rohr takes just two specialist centre-forwards to Russia - Changchun Yatai’s Odion Ighalo and Crotone’s Simeon Nwankwo.

The attacking line-up is completed by Chelsea’s Victor Moses, Arsenal’s Alex Iwobi, Leicester City’s Kelechi Iheanacho and Ahmed Musa.

Captain Mikel prepares for his second World Cup and will anchor the midfield with support from Ogenyi Onazi, recuperating Wilfred Ndidi, John Ogu, Oghenekaro Etebo and Joel Obi.

The German tactician has opted to go with William Troost-Ekong, Leon Balogun, Kenneth Omeruo, Bryan Idowu, Chidozie Awaziem, Abdullahi Shehu, Elderson Echiejile and Tyronne Ebuehi for his defensive options.

The players are scheduled to arrive in Austria on Sunday evening on June 4, where they will face the Czech Republic on Wednesday at the Rudolf-Tonn-Stadium.

Afterwards, Nigeria head to Russia ahead of their World Cup opener against Croatia on June 16 in Kaliningrad.

FULL SQUAD

GOALKEEPERS: Ikechukwu Ezenwa (Enyimba) Daniel Akpeyi (Chippa United) Francis Uzoho (Deportivo de La Coruna)

DEFENDERS: William Troost-Ekong (Bursaspor) Leon Balogun (Mainz 05) Kenneth Omeruo (Kasimpasa) Bryan Idowu (Amkar Perm) Chidozie Awaziem (Nantes) Abdullahi Shehu (Bursaspor) Elderson Echiejile (Cercle Brugge) Tyronne Ebuehi (ADO Den Haag)

MIDFIELDERS: John Obi Mikel (Tianjin Teda) Ogenyi Onazi (Trabzonspor) John Ogu (Hapoel Beer Sheva) Wilfred Ndidi (Leicester City) Oghenekaro Etebo (Las Palmas) Joel Obi (Torino)

FORWARDS: Odion Ighalo (Changchun Yatai) Ahmed Musa (CSKA Moscow) Victor Moses (Chelsea) Alex Iwobi (Arsenal) Kelechi Iheanacho (Leicester City) Simeon Nwankwo (Crotone)