Taiwo misses out on Nigeria´s Cup qualifier

Nigeria have excluded Marseille defender Taye Taiwo from next month’s 2012 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier at home to Madagascar.

NFF technical committee chairman, Dominic Iorfa, announced a 26-man squad for the September 4 match against Madagascar on Friday with Taiwo among several World Cup players missing.

Other members of Nigeria’s underperforming World Cup side not picked were Sporting Braga defender Elderson Echiejile, Sani Kaita, Dele Adeleye, Rabiu Afolabi and Yakubu Aiyegbeni.

Chelsea midfielder Mikel Obi leads several England-based stars including Danny Shittu, Dickson Etuhu, Joseph Yobo, Sam Sodje and Osaze Odemwingie for the clash.

There is also a return for Netherlands-based midfielder Oluwafemi Ajilore and Michael Eneramo from Esperance of Tunisia.

Iorfa disclosed that Austin Eguavoen will continue to be in temporary charge of the team.

Nigeria squad

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

Defenders: Chidi Odiah (CSKA Moscow/RUS), Sam Sodje (clubless), Terna Suswan (Lobi Stars), Danny Shittu (Bolton Wanderers/ENG), Emmanuel Anyanwu, Valentine Nwabili (Enyimba), Joseph Yobo (Everton/ENG), Promise Onu (Niger Tornadoes), Ugwu Uwadiegwu (Enugu Rangers)

Midfielders: Mikel (Chelsea/ENG), Kalu Uche (Almeria/SPA), Otekpa Eneji (Enyimba), Dickson Etuhu (Fulham/ENG), Oluwafemi Ajilore (Groningen/NED), Fengor Ogude (Warri Wolves)

Strikers: Ahmed Musa (Kano Pillars), Obafemi Martins (Rubin Kazan/RUS), Osaze Odemwingie (West Brom/ENG), Michael Eneramo (Esperance/TUN), Moses Bunde (Lobi Stars), Joseph Akpala (Club Brugge/BEL), Solomon Okoronkwo (FC Saturn/RUS), Ayo Saka (Heartland)