Nigeria national team coach Stephen Keshi announced his 30-player provisional roster Tuesday for next month’s World Cup, and Seattle Sounders forward Obafemi Martins isn’t on it.
Despite a recent run of good form with his MLS club, Martins was not among the 10 forwards called up by Keshi, a list that includes mainstays such as Emmanuel Emenike, the top scorer for last year’s Africa Cup of Nations squad, Peter Odemwingie and Shola Ameobi.
Martins, who has scored 18 goals on 38 caps in a somewhat rocky relationship with Nigeria, was called up just once last year. He has four assists and four goals for the Sounders so far this season.
Other regulars on the roster, which includes 19 returning players from the Nations Cup squad, include John Mikel Obi of Chelsea and Liverpool's Victor Moses.
The three-time African champions will face Scotland in a friendly on May 28 at Craven Cottage before they depart for training camp in Houston.
They will also play friendly internationals against Greece on June 3 at the Philadelphia Union's PPL Park in Chester, Pa., as part of the "Road to Brazil" series, then face the United States in Jacksonville, Fla., on June 7 in World Cup tune-ups.
Here is the full Nigeria squad:
GOALKEEPERS (4):
Vincent Enyeama (Lille FC - France / 31yrs)
Austin Ejide (Hapoel Be'er Sheva - Israel / 30yrs)
Daniel Akpeyi (Warri Wolves - Nigeria / 28yrs)
Chigozie Agbim (Gombe United - Nigeria / 29yrs)
DEFENDERS (8):
Elderson Echiejile (AS Monaco - France / 26yrs)
Efe Ambrose (Celtic - Scotland / 25yrs)
Godfrey Oboabona (Rizespor - Turkey / 23yrs)
Azubuike Egwuekwe (Warri Wolves / 24yrs)
Kenneth Omeruo (Middlesbrough - England / 20yrs)
Juwon Oshaniwa (Ashdod FC - Israel / 23yrs)
Joseph Yobo (Norwich City - England / 33yrs)
Kunle Odunlami (Sunshine Stars - Nigeria / 24yrs)
Midfielders:
John Mikel Obi (Chelsea - England / 27yrs)
Ramon Azeez (Almeria FC - Spain / 21yrs)
Ogenyi Onazi (SS Lazio - Italy / 21yrs)
Joel Obi (Parma, Italy / 22yrs)
Nnamdi Oduamadi (Varese - Italy / 23yrs)
Ejike Uzoenyi (Enugu Rangers - Nigeria / 26yrs)
Nosa Igiebor (Real Betis - Spain / 23yrs)
Sunday Mba (CA Bastia - France / 25yrs)
Reuben Gabriel (Waasland-Beveren - Belgium / 23yrs)
Michael Babatunde (Volyn Lutsk, Ukraine / 21yrs)
FORWARDS (8):
Ahmed Musa (CSKA Moscow - Russia / 21yrs)
Shola Ameobi (Newcastle United - England / 32yrs)
Emmanuel Emenike (Fenerbahce - Turkey / 27yrs)
Obinna Nsofor (Chievo Verona - Italy / 27yrs)
Peter Odemwingie (Stoke City - England / 32yrs)
Michael Uchebo (Cercle Brugge - Belgium / 24yrs)
Victor Moses (Liverpool - England / 23yrs)
Uche Nwofor (Heerenveen - Holland / 22yrs)
