Nigeria coach Gernot Rohr has rewarded improved performances at club level with recalls ahead of the double-header with Sierra Leone this month
Maiden call-ups for Heracles Almelo striker Cyriel Dessers and Koln defender Kingsley Ehizibue were no doubt the headline items in Nigeria's squad announcement on Wednesday.
Both have earned call-ups on the back of impressive performances at club level, and provide important options in key positions: the former as a reliable stand-in for first-choice centre-forward Victor Osimhen, and the latter as a possible starting right-back.
However, arguably the most heart-warming take-away from the 24-man selection is the redemption arc featuring three players: Kelechi Iheanacho, Daniel Akpeyi and Leon Balogun.