Trabzonspor of Turkey midfielder, Eddy Ogenyi Onazi has survived a disciplinary axe from the Super Eagles, as he has been included in the list of invitees to battle Seychelles, but Standard Liege of Belgium stopper, Uche Agbo has only been listed on standby along with four other fringe players.
Speculation had been rife heading into the official announcement of the Eagles’ first post-World Cup that Onazi would be dropped on account of poor form and poor attitude at the 2018 Mundial in Russia.
However, in an apparent opportunity for a second chance and repentance, or due to the absences of two senior players, Mikel Obi and Victor Moses, Eagles’ gaffer, Gernot Rohr included Onazi in his list announced on Friday.
Onazi’s name was prominent, as Rohr his original roster of 24 players, before an extra list of five players on standby was rolled out by the Franco-German coach.
Standard Liege of Belgium star, Agbo and Lokomotiv Plovdiv defender, Stephen Eze are joined by former Golden Eaglets captain, Musa Muhammed in the standby list.
FC Luzern attacker, Blessing Eleke was also named on the list as the alternate forward, despite his failure to score a goal this season from five games played so far.
Eleke has played two games in the Europa League, two in the Swiss Super League and one in the Swiss Cup so far since his move from NK Olimpija Ljubljana of Slovenia after a
Amidst reports that he had lost his position as Eagles’ vice-captain, Onazi did not play a single minute for Nigeria at the World Cup, but he has so far this season played the entire duration of both Turkish Super Lig games for Trabzonspor.
An Eagles’ official said: “Onazi is in the list. His exclusion from the list isn’t true. It was a rumour which was started by some individuals with vested interest. All is well between Rohr and Onazi.”
