Nigeria turn to luckless Mikel for Korea friendly

Chelsea’s John Obi Mikel, who missed the World Cup with a knee injury, was on Wednesday recalled to the Nigerian squad for the August 11 friendly against South Korea in Seoul.

Other foreign-based professionals for the match include goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama of Hapoel Tel Aviv, Osaze Odemwingie from Locomotiv Moscow of Russia and Inter Milan forward Obinna Nsofor.

Twenty-two other players from the domestic league have been called up.

They include Bayelsa United goalkeeper Bassey Akpan, Lobi defender Terna Suswam, Enyimba midfielder Gabriel Reuben as well as Kano Pillars forward Ahmed Musa, who was top scorer of the league last season with a record 18 goals.

Nigeria squad:

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

Defenders: Ayodele Adeleye (Mettalurg Donetsk/UKR), Daniel Shittu (Bolton/ENG), Elderson Echiejile (Sporting Braga/POR), Terna Suswam (Lobi Stars), Valentine Nwabili (Enyimba), Promise Onuh (Tornadoes), Suleiman Ismaila (Lobi Stars), Ugwu Uwadiegu (Enugu Rangers), Nnaemeka Anyanwu, Emmanuel Anyanwu (Enyimba), Chidiebere Okoli (Sharks)

Midfielders: John Lbi Mikel (Chelsea/ENG), Dickson Etuhu (Fulham/ENG), Kalu Uche (Almeria/SPA), Haruna Lukman(Monaco/FRA) Gabriel Reuben (Enyimba), Solomon Okpako (Kano Pillars), Taiwo Hassan (3SC)

Strikers: Osaze Odemwingie (Lokomotiv Moscow/RUS), Obinna Nsofor (Malaga/SPA), Ikechukwu Uche (Real Zaragoza/SPA), Obafemi Martins (Rubin Kazan/RUS), Joseph Akpala (Club Brugge/BEL), Ahmed Musa (Kano Pillars),Uche Nwofor (3SC), Gbolahan Salami (Sunshine Stars), Eugene Salami (Tornadoes), Moses Bunde (Lobi Stars), King Osanga, John Owoeri (Heartland), Femi Balogun (Kaduna United), Fengor Ogude (Warri Wolves)