Nigeria suffered a blow just under a week away from the start of the World Cup as they announced that star midfielder Mikel John Obi had been left out of the squad because he did not want to aggravate a knee injury.
The 23-year-old Chelsea star — who follows club team-mates Michael Ballack, Michael Essien and possibly Didier Drogba in missing out on the finals because of injury — has been replaced by striker Brown Ideye, who plays for French First Division side Sochaux.
Ideye, a former youth international, has yet to be capped at full international level by Nigeria.
Squad:
Goalkeepers: Vincent Enyeama, Dele Aiyenugba, Austin Ejide
Defenders: Taye Taiwo, Elderson Echiejile, Chidi Odiah, Joseph Yobo, Daniel Shittu, Ayodele Adeleye, Rabiu Afolabi
Midfielders: Kalu Uche, Dickson Etuhu, Mikel Obi, Sani Kaita, Haruna Lukman, Yusuf Ayila
Strikers: Yakubu Aiyegbeni, Chinedu Obasi, Nwankwo Kanu, John Utaka, Obafemi Martins, Obinna Nsofor, Osaze Odemwingie — Sapa