After a long absence, skipper Joseph Yobo and striker Peter Odemwingie have been named in Nigeria's final team to feature in the World Cup in Brazil.
Sunday Mba, who helped Nigeria secure a third African Cup of Nations (AFCON) title last year, however, failed to make the cut.
Mba, who scored the winning goal in the AFCON 2013 final against Burkina Faso, was late in joining the Super Eagles' training squad in London last week because of a visa hitch.
But the Nigeria coach, Stephen Keshi, said the midfielder had since not shown enough desire to be part of the 23-man squad going to Brazil.
"His lateness to camp contributed to his missing out but outside that he did not show the hunger, the fight we expected of him, explained Keshi. "We have only two—and—a—half weeks to prepare for the World Cup and he was not giving us what we wanted. He was very relaxed and it was unlike him."
Nigeria kick off their Group F campaign against Iran on June 16 and will also play Argentina and Bosnia Herzegovina.
Nigeria's final squad:
Goalkeepers: Vincent Enyeama (Lille), Austin Ejide (Hapoel Be'er Sheva), Chigozie Agbim (Gombe United).
Defenders: Elderson Echiejile (Monaco), Efe Ambrose (Celtic), Godfrey Oboabona (Rizespor), Azubuike Egwuekwe (Warri Wolves), Kenneth Omeruo (Middlesbrough), Juwon Oshaniwa (Ashdod), Joseph Yobo (Norwich, on loan from Fenerbahce), Kunle Odunlami (Sunshine Stars).
Midfielders: John Mikel Obi (Chelsea), Ramon Azeez (Almeria), Ogenyi Onazi (Lazio), Nosa Igiebor (Real Betis), Reuben Gabriel (Waasland-Beveren), Michael Babatunde (Volyn Lutsk).
Forwards: Ahmed Musa (CSKA Moscow), Shola Ameobi (Newcastle), Emmanuel Emenike (Fenerbahce), Peter Odemwingie (Stoke), Michael Uchebo (Cercle Brugge), Victor Moses (Liverpool, on loan from Chelsea), Uche Nwofor (Heerenveen).
