Keshi said the provisional list will be forwarded to FIFA ahead of the May 13 deadline for submission, while the substantive 23-man squad that will represent Nigeria at the World Cup will be announced on June 2 during the team’s training tour of America.
National captain Joseph Yobo, Joel Obi and Osaze Odemwingie were restored to provide experience for the team after they were frozen out for long period, while Shola Ameobi, Ramon Azeez, Michael Babatunde, Uche Nwofor and Michael Uchebo were also on the provisional list.
Kunle Odunlami, Chigozie Agbim, Azubuike Egwueke and Daniel Akpeyi are the home based players that made the initial cut.
Villareal of Spain’s forward- Ikechukwu Uche, Brown Ideye, Leon Balogun, Chinedu Obasi, Ezekiel Umoh, John Ogu and Fegor Ogude -are the major names deemed surplus to requirement.
The Provisional List:
GOALKEEPERS: Vincent Enyeama , Austin Ejide, Chigozie Agbim, Daniel Akpeyi
DEFENDERS: Joseph Yobo, Elderson Echiejile, Juwon Oshaniwa, Ambrose Efe, Godfrey Oboabona, Azubuike Egwuekwe, Kenneth Omeruo and Kunle Odunlami
MIDFIELDERS: John Mikel Obi, Onazi Ogenyi, Ramon Azeez, Ejike Uzoenyi, Sunday Mba, Reuben Gabriel, Nosa Igiebor, Joel Obi and Micheal Uchebo
ATTACKERS: Ahmed Musa, Shola Ameobi, Victor Moses, Michael Babatunde, Uche Nwofor, Nnamdi Oduamadi, Emmanuel Emenike, Osaze Odemwingie and Obinna Nsofor.