Kanu keeps place in Nigeria's plans

Arsenal striker Nwankwo Kanu has retained his place in the Nigeria squad.

Kanu's agent has denied asking for the player to leave the London club after two years following problems getting into the first team.

The Nigeria captain played the last seven minutes of a Champions League draw with Olympique Lyon last night and has been linked with a swap move to FC Barcelona that has Dutch star Patrick Kluivert signing for the London club. Real Madrid have also been linked with Kanu but he will miss at least two matches for Arsenal next month as he prepares for the March 11th match in the 2002 World Cup qualifiers with Ghana.

The Nigeria squad will meet in Togo from March 4th to train before the game and coach Jo Bonfrere has recalled defender Emeka Ifejiagwa and striker Benedict Akwuegbu to the 18 man squad. Nigeria are joint leaders of the group on nine points with Liberia.

The squad in full -

Goalkeepers - Ike Shorounmu (Besiktas) and Idah Peterside (Classic FC)

Defenders - Celestine Babayaro (Chelsea), Isaac Okoronkwo (Shaktar Donetsk), Ifeanyi Udeze (Salonika), Godwin Okpara (Paris Saint Germain), Taribo West (Derby Country) and Emeka Ifejiagwa (VfL Wolfsburg).

Midfielders - Garba Lawal (Roda Kerkrade), Sunday Oliseh (Borussia Dortmund), Austin "Jay-Jay" Okocha (PSG) and Finidi George (Real Mallorca)

Strikers - Julius Aghahowa (Shaktar Donetsk), Victor Agali (Hansa Rostock), Tijjani Babangida (Genclerbirligi)), Bina Ajuwa (Benfica), Nwankwo Kanu (Arsenal) and Benedict Akwuegbu (Graz AK)