Super Eagles chief coach Salisu Yusuf has revealed his 30-man Nigeria squad for the African Nations Championship qualifier against either Togo or Benin, with Ikechukwu Ezenwa and Stephen Odey headlining his selection.
The eagerly anticipated list has generated intense speculation in the last couple of weeks, with Yusuf keeping faith with many of the players who featured for Nigeria at the last edition of the tournament which was held in Rwanda.
Nigeria Professional Football League veteran midfielder Rabiu Ali of Kano Pillars, Akwa United's poster boy Alhassan Ibrahim and the division's record scorer Mfon Udoh of Enyimba also made the list.
Some notable exclusions include Anthony Okpotu of Lobi Stars despite his two hat-tricks this season, while Rivers United's hard-tackling defender Festus Austine, who had an impressive CAF Confederation Cup campaign, has also been excluded.
Daniel Itodo of Plateau United, who has become famed for his long throw-ins, has also been overlooked.
Nigeria, bronze medallists in 2014, are aiming to make a third successive appearance at the championship, which is exclusively for players based in their countries' domestic leagues.
The CHAN Eagles will face off with the winner of a preliminary qualifier between West African neighbours Togo and Benin, with the first leg taking place on the weekend of 11th-13th August in either Cotonou or Lome, while the return leg takes place in Nigeria on Saturday August 19.
FULL LIST
Goalkeepers: Ikechukwu Ezenwa (FC Ifeanyi Ubah), Theophilus Afelokhai (Enyimba), Okiemute Odah (Lobi Stars), Dele Ajiboye (Plateau United)
Defenders: Jamiu Alimi (Kano Pillars); Orji Kalu (Rangers International); Stephen Eze (FC Ifeanyi Ubah); Ariwachukwu Emmanuel (Akwa United); Elisha Golbe (Plateau United); Chima Akas (Enyimba FC); Nasiru Sani (Katsina United), Osas Okoro (Rangers International), Chinedu Ajanah (ABS FC)
Midfielders: Hafiz Aremu (Akwa United); Emeka Atuloma (Rivers United); Raphael Ayagwa (Lobi Stars); Ifeanyi Ifeanyi (Akwa United); Rabiu Ali (Kano Pillars), Samuel Mathias (El-Kanemi Warriors), Alhassan Ibrahim (Akwa United), Chiamaka Madu (Rangers International)
Forwards: Mfon Udoh (Enyimba FC); Prince Aggrey (FC Ifeanyi Ubah); Sikiru Olatunbosun (MFM FC), Thomas Zenke (Nasarawa United); Austin Oladapo (Gombe United), Stephen Odey (MFM FC); Kingsley Eduwo (Lobi Stars), Sunday Adetunji (Abia Warriors), Ifeanyi George (Rangers International)