Nigeria names final squad for World Cup

Nigeria coach Lars Lagerback has named his final 23-man squad for the World Cup after cutting seven players, a team spokesman said Monday.

Nigeria Football Federation spokesman Ademola Olajire told The Associated Press that Everton striker Victor Anichebe was among those cut from the Super Eagles’ provisional 30-man list. Anichebe had returned to action with the English Premier League club at the beginning of May after suffering an injury during a match against Bolton in March.

Nigeria will face North Korea in a final warmup match on June 6, and will play Argentina, Greece and South Korea in its World Cup group.

Squad:
Goalkeepers: Vincent Enyeama (Hapoel Tel Aviv), Dele Ayenugba (Beni Yehuda FC), Austine Ejide (Hapoel Petah Tikva)

Defenders: Taye Taiwo (Marseille), Elderson Echiejile (Rennes), Chidi Odiah (CSKA Moscow), Joseph Yobo (Everton), Daniel Shittu (Bolton), Ayodele Adeleye (Sparta Rotterdam), Rabiu Afolabi (Salzburg)

Midfielders: Dickson Etuhu (Fulham), John Obi Mikel (Chelsea), Sani Kaita (Alaniya), Lukman Haruna (Monaco), Ayila Yussuf (Dynamo Kiev), Peter Osaze (Lokomotiv Moscow)

Forwards: Yakubu Ayegbeni (Everton), Chinedu Obasi (Hoffenheim), Nwankwo Kanu (Portsmouth), Obafemi Martins (Wolfsburg), Ikechukwu Uche (Zaragoza), John Utaka (Portsmouth), Victor Obinna (Malaga).