Alex Iwobi out of Nigeria/Ghana clash

Super Eagles and Everton winger Alex Iwobi was conspicuously missing as Technical Adviser Austin Eguavoen released a 32-man provisional list ahead of the two-legged World Cup qualifiers against Ghana.

Iwobi who was part of the recently ended Nations Cup where Nigeria crashed out in the round of 16 suffered a nightmarish experience at the tournament after he received a straight red less than five minutes after hitting the pitch against Tunisia, a match which incidentally marked the last match for the Eagles as the Tunisians won with a lone goal to move into the quarter finals.

The referee took the decision after ruling that the Everton man delivered a rough tackle left Tunisian goalscorer Youssef Msakni writhing in pain.

Iwobi had been introduced on the hour mark as the Super Eagles went in search of an equaliser after Msakni’s opener just after half-time. A disappointed Iwobi had come in hoping to help the Eagles turn the table but saw the dream disappear into thin air. Other regulars who were in Cameroon were included in Eguavoen’s list with the inclusion of Ademola Lookman who only recently had his request to switch allegiance to Nigeria granted by FIFA.

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Iwobi who joined the senior national team in 2015 after playing junior categories for England has made 55 appearances for the Super Eagles with nine goals to his credit.

Nigeria take on Ghana in the 20,000 –capacity Cape Coast Sports Stadium as from 7.30pm on Friday 25th March, with the reverse leg set for the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja on Tuesday, 29th March as from 6pm. The winner over two legged encounter will earn one of Africa’s five tickets to the 22nd FIFA World Cup finals, scheduled for 14th November – 18th December this year in Qatar.