Brian Idowu was a late omission from Nigeria’s World Cup 2018 list of players for the November 12 game against Algeria, due to his Russian roots and the country’s law on immigration.

The Amkar Perm defender was approached by Nigeria to play for the senior national team of Nigeria, an offer he gladly accepted ahead of Nigeria’s clash against Algeria.

However, a review of the Russian law on dual citizenship which was done in 2014, requires citizens with dual nationality to inform their local migration office 60 days to when they intend to take add another international passport to that of Russia.

24 year old Idowu was born in Russia to Nigerian parents and has only visited Nigeria once, and the contact with Nigeria was done few months ago, well short of the 60 days required by the law in Russia.

Manager Gernot Rohr had to hand a late call up to Musa Mohammed when it became evident that Idowu’s passport issue won’t be resolve until after late in November.

Super Eagles’ Technical Adviser Gernot Rohr has called up captain Mikel John Obi, assistant captain Ahmed Musa, goalkeeper Carl Ikeme and 21 others for next month’s 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifying match against the Fennecs of Algeria in Uyo.

While he has retained the bulk of the squad that defeated Zambia 2-1 in Ndola earlier this month to establish Nigeria at the top of Group B of the African race, the Franco-German tactician has also beefed up the playing body with in –form Israeli –based midfielder John Ogu and Nigeria’s top scorer at the Olympic Men’s Football Tournament in Brazil, Oghenekaro Etebo.

Germany –based defender Leon Balogun, back from injury, also returns while English Premiership stars Victor Moses and Odion Ighalo are also called.

Former junior international goalkeeper Dele Alampasu and Dutch –based defender Tyrone Ebuehi are also invited.

Players are expected to start arriving at the team’s Bolton White Apartment in Abuja on Sunday, 6thNovember.

The Super Eagles welcome the Fennecs at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium on Saturday, 12th November in one of the potentially most explosive games of the African series.

FULL LIST:

Goalkeepers: Carl Ikeme (Wolverhampton Wanderers, England); Ikechukwu Ezenwa (FC IfeanyiUbah); Dele Alampasu (FC Cesarense, Portugal)

Defenders: Leon Balogun (FSV Mainz 05, Germany); William Paul Ekong (Haugesund FC, Norway); Kenneth Omeruo (Alanyaspor FC, Turkey); Uche Henry Agbo (Granada FC, Spain); Tyrone Ebuehi (ADO Den Haag, The Netherlands); Abdullahi Shehu (Anorthosis Famagusta, Cyprus); Musa Muhammed (Istanbul Basaksehir, Turkey); Elderson Echiejile (Standard Liege, Belgium), Kingsley Madu (SV Zulte Waregem, Belgium)

Midfielders: Mikel John Obi (Chelsea FC, England); Ogenyi Onazi (Trabzonspor FC, Turkey); Wilfred Ndidi (KRC Genk, Belgium); Oghenekaro Etebo (CD Feirense, Portugal); John Ogu (Hapoel Be’er Sheva, Israel)

Forwards: Ahmed Musa (Leicester City, England); Kelechi Iheanacho (Manchester City, England); Moses Simon (KAA Gent, Belgium); Victor Moses (Chelsea FC, England); Odion Ighalo (Watford FC, England); Brown Ideye (Olympiacos FC, Greece); Alex Iwobi (Arsenal FC, England)

*

The potential inclusion of Russian born Nigerian defender Brian Idowu in the Super Eagles squad for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Algeria has been greeted with praises from Russian journalist Pavel Denis.

Denis who has followed Idowu’s career right from his formative years at Zenith St. Petersburg reckons the 24 year old Amkar Perm defender, has what it takes to help Nigeria nullify the threat of Leicester City Riyad Mahrez if selected against Algeria.

” He is a versatile defender. Can play as a full back on either flanks and also as a central defender. His abilities in man marking is top notch, also his strength in the air is worth a mention” He told Owngoalnigeria.com.

” His major draw back is that he doesn’t score goals as a matter of fact he has just one goal since making his professional debut six years ago. But what he is asked to do as a defender on the pitch can’t be faulted.

” No doubt he will match Mahrez and could even take him out of the game if he gets the nod to play against Algeria. Good player who will add quality to any team”.

Brown Ideye who is expected to lead the attack for the Super Eagles of Nigeria when they take on Algeria, proved his sharpness and readiness for the tie with a beautiful strike for Olympiakos which gave them a lone goal win over Atromitos.

Known for his ability to bring others into play as witness in his well weighted pass to Iheanacho for Nigeria’s second goal against Zambia in Ndola, he is guarantee to start ahead of Watford star Odion Ighalo against Algeria.

Ideye looked certain to retain his spot in the team after combining well with the likes of Alex Iwobi, Kelechi Iheanacho and Moses Simon in the 2-1 win over Zambia in Ndola.

The 28 year old forward has gone two games without a goal for the Greek Champions, before rifling home a beautiful of a goal to give his team all three points against a dogged Atromitos side.

No doubt, his back to goal scoring ways will gladden the heart of Super Eagles coach Gernot Rohr, who has been vocal in his demands for his players to score more goals going by the number of chances they create in games.

Former Zenit St Petersburg youth team player Brian Idowu has claimed the Russian club refused to play him in their main team because he is black.

The 23-year-old left Zenith in 2010 as an 18-year-old without playing a game for the main team, and the Amkar Perm defender claimed he was told his path to the main team was unfeasible because of the colour of his skin.

Born in St. Petersburg to Nigerian parents Idowu made the claims on the wesbite of his present team, which will further heap pressure on Zenith as they have long being accused of being a racist team.

In 2012 one Zenit fans’ group published a manifesto demanding the club not sign any black or gay players.

However, the club responded to those demands three years ago by saying “we make our player selections without any limitation regarding origin, religion or skin colour”.

Zenith St Petersburg are yet to release any official statement on Idowu’s claim , but reports in Russia suggest the team will respond after today’s Europa League game against Sevilla.

The Nigerian whose maternal grandmother is the reason behind his Russian roots is presently a teammate to out of favour Super Eagles midfielder Fengor Ogude.

This season he has made 7 appearances for the team in the Russia top flight league after a loan spell last season at second division Dinamo Sankt Petersburg.

*First published on the 23rd of April 2015.

As the Super Eagles of Nigeria step up their preparations for the World Cup 2018 qualifiers game against Algeria, Owngoalnigeria.com has gotten an insight as to why the duo of Anderson Esiti and Nosa Igiebor were dropped from the list of players for the tie.

The duo as reported by Owngoalnigeria.com are not in the list of 25 players called up for the November 12 tie, which could have a big impact on Nigeria’s leadership of Group B.

Gent of Belgium midfield powerhouse Esiti, whose inclusion has generated lot of debates was dropped due to the presence of utility midfielders in Wilfred Ndidi and Shehu Abdullahi.

Ndidi and Abdullahi can both play as full backs aside their defensive midfield role, with Genk Ndidi also able to play in central defence unlike Esiti who is only at home playing as a defensive midfielder, a role Eddy Onazi has made his personal property since 2013.

Esiti’s pace was another deciding factor as he could slow down quick breaks, due to his lack of pace and inability to play a forward pass unlike the other players in his role.

Meanwhile Igiebor failed to sufficiently justify his call up to the team for the previous games against Tanzania and Zambia, with his performances against Akwa United and Plateau United in two friendly game, no where near what Rohr needs from his midfielder.

Coach of Leicester City Claudio Ranieri has revealed the drills Nigerian forward Ahmed Musa went through that has helped him score in two consecutive games for the champions.

Musa followed up his strike in the 3-1 win against Crystal Palace last season with another in their 1-1 draw against Tottenham Hotspur in Saturday’s Premier League clash at White Hart Lane.

Ranieri who backed the former CSKA Moscow forward when he was struggling to get among the goals for Leicester City, revealed extra drills were introduced for Musa.

” He worked really hard in training to get to where he is now. A lot of work went down on him during training specifically on his movement around the box using his pace to get behind. He also worked on his shooting” He said.

” I never doubted his abilities. I knew he will adapt to the league, now his learning process is over. It’s time to deliver and he is doing so at the moment”.

Italian Serie A side AS Roma are set to be without striker Alessandro Florenzi for the rest of the season, after tearing his cruciate knee ligaments in Rome’s 3-1 win over Sassuolo in the Serie A on Wednesday night.

Florenzi left the pitch in the 85th minute of the game, which Roma won to move to second in Serie A, just two points behind leaders Juventus.

His injury has left a gap in the attack of Roma which manager Luciano Spalleti would love to address in the winter transfer window, which will set to open in January.

Among possible target is Nigerian forward Sadiq Umar who left the Serie A side on a co-ownership deal to Bologna in the summer.

Sadiq made his breakthrough at Roma under former manager Rudy Garcia but failed to get sufficient game time from his replacement Spalleti.

” I have not heard about it simply because I have people in charge of that aspect of my career. Am focused on doing my best for Bologna.” He told Owngoalnigeria.com.

Manager of the Nigeria senior national team Gernot Rohr will be watching Granada’s game against Barcelona with keen interest on how Nigerian defender cum midfielder Uche Agbo performs against the likes of Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar.
A decision on if the on loan Watford defender will be picked ahead of Godfrey Obaboana will be made this weekend after Granada’s la-liga game against Barcelona, as Nigeria get set to release the list of players for the all important World Cup 2018 qualifiers tie against Nigeria.

Technical adviser of the Super Eagles Gernot Rohr is yet to decide on who to pick between the duo as both players are battling for the remaining one central defence slot, with Kenneth Omeruo,Leon Balogun and William Troost Ekong guarantee to be picked.

Agbo who was a part of the team that defeated Zambia 2-1 away in Ndola but didn’t get to play in the game could join the list of players axed for the tie by the German coach of the team.

However a strong showing against Barcelona could give him an edge over Caykur Rizespor Godfrey Obaboana who is on standby, waiting to pounce if Agbo slips against the Catalans.