Nigeria coach Stephen Keshi has picked seven from 23 local players previously named for Saturday’s third round second-leg 2013 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier with Liberia in Calabar.

They are goalie Chigozie Agbim of Warri Wolves, defenders Umar Zango of Kano Pillars, Azubuike Egwueke of Warri Wolves and Godfrey Oboabona of Sunshine Stars; midfielders Henry Uche of Enyimba and Benjamin Francis of Heartland and Rangers winger Ejike Uzoenyi.

According to Complete Sport, the list was announced after a 1-1 draw with Pro League side FC Abuja, in a match played at the practice pitch of the Abuja National Stadium on Sunday.

“Keep yourself busy and fit football wise because we have a friendly soon and we have other qualifiers that you will again be called upon to come and fight for a shirt,” Keshi said.

Before the announcement, the players showed some lethargy when they took on a more forceful FC Abuja Saturday morning in a game that spoils were evenly shared, which led the technical crew to order for training after the game to jerk up the players’ fitness level.

It means Chelsea’s John Mikel Obi will shoulder the work of a midfield that was ripped apart during the 2-2 draw by Isaac Pupo and Alseny Keita at the SKD.

Mikel opted out of the first leg when it was first learnt that the game would have been played on an artificial turf at the Antoinette Tubman Stadium. The 25-year-old has yet to play for the Super Eagles since coach Stephen Keshi took over the team in November 2011.

Former schoolboy star Ogenyi Onazi is included after impressing for Lazio. He has featured as an attacking midfielder for the Serie A club this season after coming through their youth set-up. There are also recalls for goalkeeper Austin Ejide as well as Inter Milan ace Joel Obi.

Final squad

Goalkeepers: Austin Ejide (Hapoel Be'er Sheva, Israel), Vincent Enyeama (Hapoel Tel Aviv, Israel) and Chigozie Agbim (Warri Wolves).

Defenders: Joseph Yobo (Fenerbache, Turkey), Elderson Echiejile (Sporting Braga, Portugal), Efe Ambrose (Celtic, Scotland), Azubuike Egwuekwe (Warri Wolves), Umar Zango (Kano Pillars) and Godfrey Oboabona (Sunshine Stars).

Midfielders: Joel Obi (Inter Milan, Italy), Nosa Igiebor (Real Betis, Spain), Obiora Nwankwo (Padova, Italy), John Mikel Obi (Chelsea, England), Ogenyi Onazi (Lazio, Italy), Benjamin Francis (Heartland) and Henry Uche (Enyimba).

Forwards: Victor Moses (Chelsea, England), Ahmed Musa (CSKA Moscow, Russia), Ike Uche (Villarreal, Spain), Emmanuel Emenike (Spartak Moscow, Russia), Brown Ideye (Dynamo Kiev, Ukraine) and Ejike Uzoenyi (Enugu Rangers).