Nigeria drop Shittu for Guinea clash

Nigeria have dropped former Bolton Wanderers defender Danny Shittu from their 30-man squad for next month’s 2012 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier in Guinea.

Shittu, who featured at both the Nations Cup in Angola as well as the World Cup this year, is without a club after he was released by English Premier League side Bolton early this month.

However, Nigeria have recalled several players from their World Cup squad for the match in Conakry on October 10.

They include Taye Taiwo, Obinna Nsofor, Dele Adeleye, Yusuf Ayila and Fulham midfielder Dickson Etuhu, who missed the opening qualifier against Madagascar this month due to an ankle injury.

Valencia midfielder Sunday Stephen, who has featured for Spain at Under-20 level, has been handed a first call-up.

Guinea and Nigeria won their opening Group B matches, but Guinea lead the standings by virtue of having beaten Ethiopia 4-1 in Addis Ababa, while Nigeria defeated Madagascar 2-0.

Nigeria squad:

Goalkeepers: Vincent Enyeama (Hapoel Tel Aviv/ISR), Dele Aiyenugba (Bnei-Yehuda/ISR), Bassey Akpan (Bayelsa United), Chigozie Agbim (Warri Wolves)

Defenders: Chidi Odiah (CSKA Moscow/RUS), Dele Adeleye (Metalurh Donetsk/UKR), Taye Taiwo (Olympique Marseille/FRA), Emmanuel Anyanwu, Emeka Anyanwu, Valentine Nwabili (Enyimba), Joseph Yobo (Fenerbache/TUR), Ugwu Uwadiegwu (Enugu Rangers), Ikechukwu ThankGod (Heartland), Chibuzor Okonkwo (Bayelsa United)

Midfielders: John Obi Mikel (Chelsea/ENG), Kalu Uche (Almeria/SPA), Otekpa Eneji (Enyimba), Dickson Etuhu (Fulham/ENG), Sunday Stephen (Valencia/SPA), Yusuf Ayila (Dynamo Kiev/UKR), Daddy Bazuaye (Enyimba), Ayo Saka (Ocean Boys), John Nnam(Enugu Rangers)

Strikers: Obinna Nsofor (West Ham/ENG), Ahmed Musa (Kano Pillars), Obafemi Martins (Rubin Kazan/RUS), Osaze Odemwingie (West Bromwich Albion/ENG), Michael Eneramo (Esperance/TUN), John Owoeri (Heartland), Moses Bunde (Lobi Stars)