Football
Colin Udoh, Special to ESPN 7y

Alex Iwobi returns for Zambia match

Nigeria have recalled Arsenal star Alex Iwobi to the 23-man squad for next month's 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Zambia.

The 21-year-old missed the double-header against Cameroon through injury, but has since recovered and returns for a game that could see Nigeria qualify for the World Cup with a win.

It is a largely unchanged squad, although league-winning Plateau United goalkeeper Dele Ajiboye has replaced youngster Dele Alampasu. The Cesarense FC goalie has been dropped to the standby list, along with Tyronne Ebuehi and Aaron Samuel. Kenneth Omeruo, who was on the previous standby list, drops out altogether.

The rest of the squad includes the China-based duo of captain John Mikel Obi and forward Odion Ighalo, along with Chelsea's Victor Moses. Also included are the Leicester trio of Ahmed Musa, Kelechi Iheanacho and Wilfred Ndidi.

There are spots for two home-based professionals, who finished runners-up to Ghana at the WAFU Cup this past weekend. Akwa United duo of Ifeanyi Ifeanyi and Afeez Aremu are on the standby list, but will join the team's training sessions in Uyo.

Nigeria play Zambia on 7 October at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, looking to extend their unbeaten World Cup qualifying streak to 35 games. A win would see them qualify for Russia 2018 ahead of the final qualifier away to Algeria in November.

NIGERIA SQUAD

Goalkeepers: Daniel Akpeyi (Chippa United, South Africa), Ikechukwu Ezenwa (FC Ifeanyi Ubah), Ayodele Ajiboye (Plateau United)

Defenders: William Ekong (Bursaspor FC, Turkey), Abdullahi Shehu (Anorthosis Famagusta, Cyprus), Leon Balogun (FSV Mainz 05, Germany), Elderson Echiejile (Sivasspor FC, Turkey), Uche Agbo (Standard Liege, Belgium), Chidozie Awaziem (Nantes, France), Olaoluwa Aina (Hull City, England)

Midfielders: John Mikel Obi (Tianjin Teda, China), Ogenyi Onazi (Trabzonspor FC, Turkey), Wilfred Ndidi (Leicester City, England), Oghenekaro Etebo (CD Feirense, Portugal), John Ogu (Hapoel Be'er Sheva, Israel), Mikel Agu (Bursaspor FC, Turkey)

Forwards: Ahmed Musa (Leicester City, England), Kelechi Iheanacho (Leicester City, England), Moses Simon (KAA Gent, Belgium), Alex Iwobi (Arsenal, England), Odion Ighalo (Chang Chun-Yatai, China), Victor Moses (Chelsea, England), Anthony Nwakaeme (Hapoel Be'er Sheva, Israel)

STANDBY: Dele Alampasu (Cesarense FC, Portugal), Tyronne Ebuehi (ADO Den Haag, Netherlands), Aaron Samuel (CSKA Moscow, Russia), Afeez Aremu (Akwa United), Ifeanyi Ifeanyi (Akwa United)

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