Head coach of the Nigeria national team, Stephen Keshi has called up 42 players ahead of September's 2014 Fifa World Cup qualifier against Malawi.
.
Eighteen of the players called up by Keshi are based abroad while 24 domestically-based players were also invited for the game which holds on September 7.
.
The 18 players based outside Nigeria will automatically make the final squad of 23 which is expected to be ratified in the coming days.
.
Explaining the rationale behind the bloated nature of the squad, Keshi said the decision was informed by the need to "identify new players for the 2014 African Nations Championship (Chan)."
.
"We are calling up 24 home boys in order to be able to identify new players for the 2014 African Nations Championship, for which we have already qualified," said Keshi.
.
Chigozie Agbim, Azubuike Egwuekwe, Solomon Kwambe, Benjamin Francis, Sunday Mba, Muhammad Gambo and Godfrey Oboabona were all included in the squad made public on Tuesday night.
.
After sitting out last week's friendly win against South Africa's Bafana Bafana, assistant captain, Vincent Enyeama returns while Austin Ejide who deputised for the Lille goalkeeper with distinction also gets a call-up for the crunch game against the Flames.
.
Efe Ambrose, Elderson Echiejile, John Obi Mikel, Ogenyi Onazi, Victor Moses, Emmanuel Emenike, Ahmed Musa and Brown Ideye were also called up for the encounter.
Stephen Keshi is really doing well right about now when it comes to promoting our football in Africa and the world.