Nigeria coach Gernot Rohr has cut five names from his provisional squad for the 2018 FIFA World Cup, but the only Premier Soccer League representative remained part of the selection for Russia.
Click through the mini-gallery above to see the five stars who were cut from Nigeria's provisional squad.
Rohr's side were the first African team to qualify for the showpiece in Russia, and began their preparations for the showpiece with a 1-1 draw against DR Congo. In their next match, they will face England in a friendly at Wembley on Saturday, and the coach has cut five names from his provisional squad for that game.
Dele Ajiboye, one of the four shot-stopper's named in Nigeria's initial squad, has been told he will not be part of the selection for Russia 2018, leaving Chippa United's Daniel Akpeyi almost certain to be part of his country's final World Cup squad.
The 31-year-old will likely be the PSL's only representative at the 2018 tournament.
Nigeria spokesperson Toyin Ibitoye told Soccer Laduma that the final two players "will be dropped after the England friendly on Saturday", while Rohr still has until Monday, 4 June, to announce his final 23-man World Cup selection.
Here is Nigeria's full 25-man squad:
Goalkeepers: Francis Uzoho (Deportivo La Coruna); Ikechukwu Ezenwa (Enyimba FC); Daniel Akpeyi (Chippa United)
Defenders: Abdullahi Shehu (Bursaspor FC); Tyronne Ebuehi (Ado Den Haag); Olaoluwa Aina (Hull City); Elderson Echiejile (Cercle Brugge KSV); Brian Idowu (Amkar Perm); Chidozie Awaziem (Nantes FC); William Ekong (Bursaspor FC); Leon Balogun (Mainz); Kenneth Omeruo (Kasimpasa FC)
Midfielders: Mikel John Obi (Tianjin Teda); Ogenyi Onazi (Trabzonspor FC); Wilfred Ndidi (Leicester City); Oghenekaro Etebo (Las Palmas); John Ogu (Hapoel Be'er Sheva); Joel Obi (Torino FC), Mikel Agu (Bursaspor FC)
Forwards: Ahmed Musa (CSKA Moscow); Kelechi Iheanacho (Leicester City); Victor Moses (Chelsea FC); Odion Ighalo (Changchun Yatai); Alex Iwobi (Arsenal); Simeon Tochukwu Nwankwo (Crotone)
The players who were cut are Dele Ajiboye (Plateau United), Uche Agbo (Standard Liege), Stephen Eze (Lokomotiv Plovdiv) and Junior Lokosa (Kano Pillars), while Moses Simon (KAA Gent) has been ruled out due to injury.
Read: The Highest Paid Coaches At 2018 World Cup Revealed
Nigeria have been drawn in Group D alongside Argentina, who they beat 4-2 in a friendly in November, Croatia and Iceland at Russia 2018.
How far do you think the Super Eagles can go in Russia? Have your say in the comments section below.
