Nigeria drop Yakubu, Martins from crunch tie  

Everton striker Yakubu Aiyegbeni and Obafemi Martins of Wolfsburg have not been picked by Nigeria for next month’s crunch World Cup qualifier against Tunisia in Abuja.

Nigeria coach, Shuaibu Amodu, who announced Friday a 21-man squad for the Group Two qualifier on September 6, said he left out both strikers because they are yet to attain full match fitness after recovering from injuries.

However, Amodu has recalled Hoffenheim forward Chinedu Obasi for the Tunisia clash. He said he was delighted Obasi has recovered from an injury which prevented him from being part of the Super Eagles matches in June.

“I’m happy that Obasi is back from injury. He will be a valuable addition to the team,” Amodu said.

Amodu will also decide on two more call-ups by Monday. He said he has to choose between England-based defender Danny Shittu and Obinna Nwaneri, who features for FC Sion in Switzerland, as well as between forwards Joseph Akpala from Club Brugge and John Utaka, who plays for Portsmouth.

Tunisia lead the group with seven points from three matches, two points ahead of second-placed Nigeria. Kenya and Mozambique are the other teams in the group.