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

 EKIGHO EHIOUSUN, Samsunspor

 OKORONKWO SOLOMON, Aalesund

 UTAKA PETER, OB

 OGBUKE OBASI CHINEDU, 1899 Hoffenheim

 IDEYE BROWN, Dynamo Kyiv

 AHMED MUSA, VVV-Venlo