Nigeria recalls 'Austrian Bomber' Akwuegbu for Ghana cracker

Nigeria on Wednesday recalled Benedict Akwuegbu of Austrian club Grazer AK for the crucial World Cup tie against Ghana next month.

The 26-year-old striker, who was first capped at the last African Nations Cup hosted by Ghana and Nigeria, has been given another chance to stake a claim for a place in the star-studded Super Eagles.

Akwuegbu, nicknamed 'Austrian Bomber', has been in fine scoring form for Grazer AK in the last three seasons but has only managed to find the back of the net twice for Nigeria in over a dozen appearances.

Nigeria's Dutch coach Jo Bonfrere picked Akwuegbu ahead of more established strikers Jonathan Akpoborie of Vfl Wolfsburg and Victor Ikpeba of Borussia Dortmund, who have failed to impress recently.

Emeka Ifejiagwa, who suffered a leg injury during the Eagles training for the 2000 Nations Cup, has also been given another chance to be part of the team.

The big defender, who has moved to German Bundesliga side Wolfsburg, is expected to battle recently capped Isaac Okoronkwo for the chance to partner Derby County's Taribo West in central defence.

Besides these changes, the 18-man squad is the same that took on both Zambia and Sudan last month.

The squad will begin training on March 5 in Lome, Togo, for the all-important March 11 cracker against old foes Black Stars of Ghana.

Nigeria currently lead their qualifying group with six points from three matches, while Ghana are placed behind Liberia with three points and a game in hand.

Sudan and Sierra Leone are the other teams in the group.

The winner of the five-team group qualifies for the 2002 World Cup to be hosted by South Korea and Japan.

The squad:

Goalkeepers: Ike Shorunmu (Besiktas/Tur), Peterside Idah (Tembisa Classic/Rsa)

Defenders: Taribo West (Derby County/Eng), Isaac Okoronkwo (Shaktar Donest/Ukr), Ifeanyi Udeze (POAK Salonica/Gre), Emeka Ifejiagwa (Wolfsburg/Ger), Godwin Okpara (Paris Saint-Germain/Fra), Celestine Babayaro (Chelsea/Eng)

Midfielders: Garba Lawal (Roda JC/Ned), Sunday Oliseh (Borussia Dortmund/Ger), Austin 'Jay Jay' Okocha (Paris Saint-Germain/Fra)

Strikers: Benedict Akwuegbu (Grazer AK/Aut), Tijjani Babangida (Gencerbirligi/Tur), Victor Agali (Hansa Rostock/Ger), Nwankwo Kanu (Arsenal/Eng), Finidi George (Real Mallorca/Spa), Julius Aghahowa (Shaktar Donest/Ukr), Bina Ajuwa (Benfica/Por)