Siasia ivites Kelechi Iheanacho, Others to Nigeria squad to face Egypt

Nigeria coach Samson Siasia has picked Manchester City striker Kelechi Iheanacho as one of three Premier League players named in Nigeria's squad to face Egypt in two Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers this month.

Siasia also picked West Ham's Victor Moses and Arsenal's Alex Iwobi in a 20-man group.

Coach Siasia is in temporarily in charge of the team following Sunday Oliseh's resignation.

The Super Eagles play Group G rivals Egypt on 25 March in Kaduna and in Alexandria on 29 March.

Nigeria are two points behind leaders Egypt after two rounds of matches with only group winners guaranteed automatic qualification to the tournament in Gabon.

Man City's Iheanacho, who made his debut against Swaziland, has been rewarded with a recall following his nine goals in 24 appearances for his English club this season.

West Ham winger Moses starred as Nigeria clinched the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations, but his search for consistency on the international scene has been hampered by a series of niggling injuries.

His last Super Eagles appearance was in the 2-0 loss to France at the 2014 World Cup.

Former England youth international Iwobi is in line for his first competitive game and follow in the footsteps of his uncle and former Nigeria captain Austin Jay-Jay Okocha.

Lazio midfielder Ogenyi Onazi is suspended for the first game in Kaduna after he received a straight red card against Chad in June 2015.

Fanendo Adi, who plays for MLS champions Portland Timbers, has been handed his first call-up, but key defender Leon Balogun has been omitted.

Sasia has picked some of the local boys who he led to the U-23 championship title last year, including captain Azubuike Okechukwu, Usman Mohammed and Etebo Oghenekaro

Leon Balogun is a surprise omission, given his excellent form for Mainz in the German Bundesliga.

Siasia will open camp with the locally based players in Abuja this weekend.

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