African qualifier: Nigeria dumps Taiye Taiwo

Nigeria have excluded Marseille defender Taye Taiwo from next month’s 2012 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier at home to Madagascar.

Taiwo

NFF technical committee chairman, Dominic Iorfa, announced a 26-man squad for the September 4 match against Madagascar on Friday with Taiwo among several World Cup players missing.

Other members of Nigeria’s underperforming World Cup side not picked were Sporting Braga defender Elderson Echiejile, Sani Kaita, Dele Adeleye, Rabiu Afolabi and Yakubu Aiyegbeni.

Chelsea midfielder Mikel Obi leads several England-based stars including Danny Shittu, Dickson Etuhu, Joseph Yobo, Sam Sodje and Osaze Odemwingie for the clash.

There is also a return for Netherlands-based midfielder Oluwafemi Ajilore and Michael Eneramo from Esperance of Tunisia.Iorfa disclosed that Austin Eguavoen will continue to be in temporary charge of the team.