West Bromwich Albion striker Peter Odemwingie has been dropped from the Nigeria squad that will face Argentina in a friendly match in Abuja on June 1.
Samson Siasia announced his squad on Thursday afternoon and excluded Odemwingie, who was named player of the month for April in the English Premier League, due to a Twitter rant in March after the team’s game against Ethiopia.
Odemwingie was left on the bench for the first half of that encounter and he left camp before the squad’s friendly against Kenya a few days later. Afterwards, he said that the coach had “issues” on Twitter.
Even though Siasia has denied a rift between him and the player, who has since apologised publicly, this move is seen by many as a way to instill discipline in the squad as many of Nigeria’s former trainers have lost control to star players in the past, as their egos became inflamed.
Newcastle’s Shola Ameobi and Victor Moses of Wigan have been put on standby.
Siasia also announced a debut call up into the senior squad for former Olympic team captain Isaac Promise, who plays his club football for Manisaspor in Turkey.
Promise led the Dream Team IV to a silver medal finish at Beijing 2008 and had been overlooked by managers until now. His last appearance was in the 1-0 loss to Argentina in China, and this might be an opportunity to avenge that loss.
The gaffer also handed a recall to defender Yusuf Mohamed of Al Hilal, who was injured during Nigeria’s campaign at the African Cup of Nations 2010. Also recalled is goalkeeper Austin Ejide, who has not featured in the team since the World Cup.
Nigeria will use the same squad to play against Ethiopia in a must-win AFCON 2012 qualifier in Addis Ababa on June 5.
Goalkeepers
Vincent Enyeama (Hapoel Tel Aviv, Israel) Dele Aiyenugba (Bnei Yehuda, Israel), Austin Ejide (Hapoel Petah Tikva, Israel)
Defenders
Chibuzor Okonkwo (Heartland), Yusuf Mohammed (Al Hilal, Sudan) , Taye Taiwo (AC Milan, Italy) , Joseph Yobo (Fenerbache, Turkey), Dele Adeleye (Metalurg Donetsk, Ukraine), Efe Ambrose (Ashdod, Israel), Yusuf Ayila (Dynamo Kiev, Ukraine)
Midfielders
John Mikel Obi (Chelsea, England), Joel Obi (Inter, Italy), Fengor Ogude (Valerenga, Norway), Kalu Uche (Almeria, Spain), Nnamdi Oduamadi (Milan, Italy), Nosa Igiebor (Lillestrom, Norway), Isaac Promise (Manisaspor, Turkey)
Forwards
Victor Anichebe (Everton, England), Peter Utaka (Odense, Sweden), Obinna Nsofor (West Ham, England), Ike Uche (Zaragoza, Spain), Ekigho Ehiosun (Warri Wolves), Emmanuel Emenike (Karabukspor, Turkey), Ahmed Musa (Venlo, Holland)
Standby
Shola Ameobi (Newcastle, England), Victor Moses (Wigan, England)
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