All talk about the possibility of former Golden Eaglets captain, Kelechi Nwakali and ex-under-23 national team star, Usman Mohammed making late entries into the Super Eagles’ squad for the World Cup have been ruled out by FIFA’s regulations.
This much has been confirmed by Eagles media officer, Toyin Ibitoye, who explained that Nwakali and Usman cannot be added to the squad because their names are not in the 30-player provisional list.
Nwakali and Usman shone for the Eagles B-team against Atletico Madrid, but Ibitoye stressed that they cannot feature at next month’s World Cup as they are not on the 30-man provisional squad, according to FIFA rule governing the competition.
Ibitoye further explained even replacements will have to be caused by a proven case of injury, which FIFA will have to certify.
Nwakali and Usman sparked off a clamour for them to be part of the World Cup squad after they showed class against the UEFA Europa League winners in Uyo on Tuesday night.
Arsenal loanee Nwakali capped a Man of the Match display with a super goal, while Usman Mohammed’s brilliant solo goal is still being talked about.
FIFA rules and regulations governing the World Cup states that any replacements will have to come from the release list (provisional squad) – “the final list is limited to the players on the release list.”
The rule states: “Each association shall then be required to provide FIFA with a final list of 23 players (three of whom shall be goalkeepers) and 27 officials (hereinafter: the final list). This final list is limited to the players on the release list.
“The final list should show the full last name(s), all first names, popular name, name and number on the shirt, position, place and date of birth, passport number and expiry date, name and country of the club, height, weight, number of caps attained number of international goals scored.
“(It) shall be submitted to the FIFA general secretariat by the deadline stipulated in the relevant circular, using the official form for this purpose.”
