Nigeria include Rangers, Everton, Leicester, Watford, Brentford stars in first 2022 WCQ squad

The Nigeria Football Federation in conjunction with manager Gernot Rohr have announced the Super Eagles squad that will take to the pitch when they begin their World Cup qualifiers in September.

The three-time African champions will host Liberia in Lagos on September 3 before facing Cape Verde in an away match four days later.

With the exception of the players who will replace the British-based stars for the second qualifier with Cape Verde, there are no major surprises on the roster unveiled on Thursday evening.

The Premier League stated earlier this week that its clubs would not release any players for travel to red list countries during the first international break of the 2021-2022 season.

Rohr has invited thirty players with eight of them based in the United Kingdom including Watford pair William Troost-Ekong and Oghenekaro Etebo, Leicester City duo Kelechi Iheanacho and Wilfred Ndidi, Glasgow Rangers stars Joe Aribo and Leon Balogun, Brentford's Frank Onyeka and Everton winger Alex Iwobi.

The squad includes two players on UEFA Champions League rosters in the shape of Zaidu Sanusi (Porto) and Innocent Bonke (Malmo).

Three goalkeepers, nine defenders, four midfielders and seven strikers have been picked in the initial squad while the 'reserve list' contains two defenders, two midfielders and three strikers.

Nigeria squad for World Cup qualifiers :

Goalkeepers (3): Francis Uzoho (APOEL Nicosia, Cyprus); Daniel Akpeyi (Kaizer Chiefs, South Africa); Maduka Okoye (Sparta Rotterdam, The Netherlands)

Defenders (9): Chidozie Awaziem (FC Boavista, Portugal); Kenneth Omeruo (CD Leganes, Spain); Leon Balogun (Glasgow Rangers, Scotland); William Ekong (Watford FC, England); Olaoluwa Aina (Torino FC, Italy); Jamilu Collins (SC Padeborn 07, Germany); Abdullahi Shehu (AC Omonia, Cyprus); Zaidu Sanusi (FC Porto, Portugal); Kevin Akpoguma (TSG Hoffenheim, Germany)

Midfielders (4): Oghenekaro Etebo (Watford FC, England); Wilfred Ndidi (Leicester City, England); Frank Onyeka (Brentford FC, England); Joseph Ayodele-Aribo (Galsgow Rangers, Scotland)

Forwards (7): Ahmed Musa (Fatih Karagumruk, Turkey); Alex Iwobi (Everton FC, England); Samuel Kalu (FC Bordeaux, France); Victor Osimhen (Napoli FC, Italy); Kelechi Iheanacho (Leicester City, England); Moses Simon (FC Nantes, France); Paul Onuachu (KRC Genk, Belgium)

Players to replace UK-based players : Terem Moffi (FC Lorient, France); Henry Onyekuru (Olympiacos FC, Greece); Chidera Ejuke (CSKA Moscow, Russia); Innocent Bonke (Malmo FF, Sweden); Valentine Ozornwafor (Sporting Charleroi, Belgium); Tyronne Ebuehi (Venezia FC, Italy); Kingsley Michael (Bologna FC, Italy)

Ifeanyi Emmanuel