By Rasaq Oboirien
DESERT Foxes coach, Georges Leekens has named only 18 foreign based professionals for the 2018African World Cup qualifiers between Nigeria and Algeria in Uyo on November 12' reports NaijaSportsXtra.blogspot.com.
The Belgian who announced his squad in a news conference on Tuesday listed the duo of Leicester City Slimani, Mahrez, French-born whiz kid Adam Ounas who picked up a slight injury in Bordeaux barren draw against Marseille, Soudani and Ghezzal as his five-man strike forces.
Interestingly, Leekens named just one foreign based goalkeeper, Rais M'Bolhi who plays for Antalyaspor, Turkey.
Asked why he didn't name any local based player or players in his squad for the Group B game in Uyo, I can't give names I don't know. I have to watch them."
"We can call up local players at any time. Not the case with those that play abroad," said Leekens.
Recall his Nigerian counterpart, Gernot Rohr did only include one local based player in his 24-man team that will host the Foxes.
Nigeria lead Group B with 3points after the victory against Zambia's Chipolopolo in Ndola on match day 1 while Cameroon is level on a point with Algeria after they shared the spoils in Algiers.
18 Players that will take on Nigeria
GOALKEEPERS: Only Rais M'Bolhi has been called up.
DEFENDERS: Belkaroui, Cadamuro, Ghoulam, Mandi, Medjani
MIDFIELDERS: Guedioura, Abeid, Taider, Bentaleb, Brahimi, Boudebouz, Feghouli
STRIKER: Slimani, Mahrez, Ounas, Soudani, Ghezzal
