Argentina, Nigeria squad for FIFA friendly
Dhaka, August 25: Argentina coach Alejandro Sabella has called up 26 players for the games against Nigeria in the high profile FIFA friendly to be held at Bangabandhu National Stadium in Dhaka on 6th September, 2011.
Fourteen players involved in the Copa America were called up by the new coach of Argentina. Lucas Biglia and Carlos Tevez were not included. Interestingly, Esteban Andrada, who participated at Colombia 2011, will act as back up goalie. Another surprise but merited name on the list is "Ricky" Alvarez, a new Inter Milan signing.
Argentina squad:
DI MARIA, ÁngelReal Madrid (España)
HIGUAIN, GonzaloReal Madrid (España)
MESSI, LionelBarcelona FC (España)
MASCHERANO, JavierBarcelona FC (España)
DEMICHELIS, MartinMálaga FC (España)
BANEGA, EverValencia (España)
SALVIO, EduardoC. Atlético de Madrid (España)
FERNANDEZ, FedericoSSC Napoli (Italia)
ALVAREZ, RicardoFC Internazionale (Italia)
BURDISSO, NicolásAS Roma (Italia)
ANDUJAR, MarianoCalcio Catania (Italia)
ROMERO, SergioSampdoria (Italia)
GARAY, EzequielSL Benfica (Portugal)
RINAUDO, FabianSporting de Lisboa (Portugal)
OTAMENDI, NicolasFC Porto (Portugal)
AGÜERO, SergioManchester City (Inglaterra)
ZABALETA, PabloManchester City (Inglaterra)
GUTIERREZ, JonasNewcastle FC (Inglaterra)
PASTORE, JavierParis Saint Germain FC (Francia)
GONZALEZ, LuisOlympique de Marseille (Francia)
LOPEZ, LisandroLyon (Francia)
ANSALDI, CristianRubin Kazan (Rusia)
PAREJA, NicolasFc Spartak Moskva (Rusia)
ROJO, MarcosFc Spartak Moskva (Rusia)
SOSA, JoseFC Metalist (Ukrania)
ANDRADA, EstebanC.A. Lanus
Nigerian head coach Samson Siasia called up 30 players that will play in the much-awaited friendly match.
The Super Eagles will fly to Dhaka after playing against Madagascar in a qualifying match for the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations on September 4.
Nigeria could miss AC Milan fullback Taye Taiwo while facing Madagascar but could be available in Dhaka. The defender suffered an ankle sprain in Milan's 2-1 win over Juventus on Sunday.
The highest rated player in the squad is perhaps Mikel John Obi, who plays as a defensive midfielder for English powerhouse Chelsea. The interesting thing about him is that he never scored for Chelsea in his 139 appearances whereas he scored twice for the national team in 30 matches.
Peter Odemwingie is another known face thanks to his 13 league goals for West Bromwich Albion last season.
Vincent Enyeama, the Nigerian custodian could again be the barrier for Messi, as he denied Messi on a number of occasions when they met in the World Cup. Vincent joined French side Lille in June this year after his inspiring performance in the World Cup.
PLAYERS
ENYEAMA VINCENT Lille (France)
AIYENUGBA DELE, Bnei Yehuda Tel Aviv
AGBIM CHIGOZIE, Warri Wolves
OKONKWO CHIBUZO, Heartland
GEGE SORIOLA, Heartland FC
TAYE TAIWO, AC Milan
ECHIEJILE ELDERSON, Sporting Braga
YOBO JOSEPH, Fenerbahçe
YUSSUF AYILA, Dynamo Kyiv
EFE AMBRUSE, Ashdod
ADELEYE AYODELE, Metalurh Donetsk
SHITTU DANIEL, Queens Park Rangers
MIKEL OBI, Chelsea
OBI JOEL, Internazionale
FEGOR OGUDE, Vålerenga
UCHE KALU, Neuchâtel Xamax
EKPO EMMANUEL, Columbus Crew
IGIEBOR NOSAKHARE, Hapoel Tel Aviv
ODUAMADI NNAMDI, Torino
NSOFOR OBINNA, Lokomotiv Moscow
ANICHEBE VICTOR, Everton
UCHE IKECHUKWU, Real Zaragoza
ODEMWINGIE OSAZE, West Bromwich Albion
OKORONKWO SOLOMON, Aalesund
UTAKA PETER, OB
OGBUKE OBASI CHINEDU, 1899 Hoffenheim
IDEYE BROWN, Dynamo Kyiv
AHMED MUSA, VVV-Venlo