Nigeria were one of the first nations to release their preliminary squad for the 2014 World Cup. The Super Eagles have named an initial squad of 30 players, which will be whittled down to 23 in time for the tournament in Brazil.

National team coach Stephen Keshi included a few surprise selections in his provisional party and also closed the door on a number of players who have been squad regulars during the Big Boss's reign.

Dynamo Kyiv forward Ideye Brown has paid the price for his impotent attacking displays and has missed out. He and fellow striker Ikechukwu Uche are the most high-profile casualties of the squad that won the African Championship in early 2013.

Also absent are midfield pair John Ogu and Fegor Ogude, while long-term reserve right-back Solomon Kwambe will also be disappointed to have been overlooked.

Mooted recalls for experienced players such as Obafemi Martins, Taye Taiwo and Lukman Haruna never materialised.

Read on for player-by-player profiles of the Nigeria's 30-man preliminary World Cup squad. 

Goalkeepers

Name: Vincent Enyeama

Date of Birth: 29/08/1982

Birthplace: Kaduna

Position: Goalkeeper

Caps: 89

Club: LOSC Lille (France)

Name: Chigozie Agbim

Date of Birth: 28/11/1984

Birthplace: Gombe

Position: Goalkeeper

Caps: 11

Club: Gombe United

Name: Austin Ejide

Date of Birth: 08/04/1984

Birthplace: Onitsha

Position: Goalkeeper

Caps: 31

Club: Hapoel Be'er Sheva (Israel)

Name: Daniel Akpeyi

Date of Birth: 03/08/1986

Birthplace: Nnewi

Position: Goalkeeper

Caps: 0

Club: Warri Wolves

Defenders

Name: Elderson Echiejile

Date of Birth: 20/01/1988

Birthplace: Benin City

Position: Left-back

Caps: 40

Club: AS Monaco (France)

Name: Efe Ambrose

Date of Birth: 18/10/1988

Birthplace: Kaduna

Position: Right-back, Centre-back

Caps: 34

Club: Celtic (Scotland)

Name: Godfrey Oboabona

Date of Birth: 16/08/1990

Birthplace: Akure

Position: Centre-back, Right-back

Caps: 34

Club: Rizespor (Turkey)

Name: Azubuike Egwuekwe

Date of Birth: 16/07/1989

Birthplace: Lafia

Position: Centre-back

Caps: 31

Club: Warri Wolves

Name: Kenneth Omeruo

Date of Birth: 17/10/1993

Birthplace: Aba

Position: Centre-back

Caps: 16

Club: Middlesbrough, on loan from Chelsea (both England)

Name: Juwon Oshaniwa

Date of Birth: 14/09/1990

Birthplace: Ilorin

Position: Left-back

Caps: 10

Club: Ashdod FC (Israel)

Name: Joseph Yobo

Date of Birth: 06/09/1980

Birthplace: Kono

Position: Centre-back

Caps: 94

Club: Norwich City (England), on loan from Fenerbahce (Turkey)

Name: Kunle Odunlami

Date of Birth: 05/03/1990

Position: Centre-back, Left-back

Caps: 8

Club: Sunshine Stars

Midfielders

Name: John Obi Mikel

Date of Birth: 22/04/1987

Birthplace: Jos

Position: Centre-midfield

Caps: 57

Club: Chelsea (England)

Name: Ramon Azeez

Date of Birth: 12/12/1992

Birthplace: Abuja

Position: Centre-midfield

Caps: 1

Club: Almeria FC (Spain)

Name: Ogenyi Onazi

Date of Birth: 25/12/1992

Birthplace: Jos

Position: Centre-midfield

Caps: 19

Club: SS Lazio (Italy)

Name: Joel Obi

Date of Birth: 22/05/1991

Birthplace: Lagos

Position: Versatile midfielder

Caps: 12

Club: Parma, on loan from Internazionale (both Italy)

Name: Nnamdi Oduamadi

Date of Birth: 17/10/1990

Birthplace: Lagos

Position: Versatile midfielder/forward

Caps: 12

Club: Varese, on loan from AC Milan (both Italy)

Name: Ejike Uzoenyi

Date of Birth: 23/03/1988

Birthplace: Enugu

Position: Left-winger

Caps: 20

Club: Enugu Rangers

Name: Nosa Igiebor

Date of Birth: 09/11/1990

Birthplace: Abuja

Position: Attacking Midfielder

Caps: 11

Club: Real Betis (Spain)

Name: Sunday Mba

Date of Birth: 28/11/1988

Birthplace: Aba

Position: Attacking Midfielder

Caps: 21

Club: CA Bastia (France)

Name: Reuben Gabriel

Date of Birth: 25/09/1990

Birthplace: Kaduna

Position: Defensive Midfielder

Caps: 10

Club: Waasland-Beveren (Belgium)

Name: Michel Babatunde

Date of Birth: 24/12/1992

Position: Left-winger

Caps: 2

Club: Volyn Lutsk (Ukraine)

Name: Ahmed Musa

Date of Birth: 14/10/1992

Birthplace: Jos

Position: Attacking Midfielder, Right-sided forward, Striker

Caps: 34

Club: CSKA Moscow (Russia)

Forwards

Name: Shola Ameobi

Date of Birth: 12/10/1981

Birthplace: Zaria

Position: Striker

Caps: 5

Club: Newcastle United (England)

Name: Emmanuel Emenike

Date of Birth: 10/05/1987

Birthplace: Otuocha

Position: Striker

Caps: 21

Club: Fenerbahce (Turkey)

Name: Victor Obinna

Date of Birth: 25/03/1987

Birthplace: Jos

Position: Versatile Forward

Caps: 48

Club: Chievo Verona (Italy)

Name: Peter Odemwingie

Date of Birth: 15/07/1981

Birthplace: Tashkent (Uzbekistan, then Soviet Union)

Position: Striker, Right-sided forward

Caps: 58

Club: Stoke City (England)

Name: Michael Uchebo

Date of Birth: 2/2/1990

Birthplace: Enugu

Position: Striker, Attacking Midfielder

Caps: 1

Club: Cercle Brugge (Belgium)

Name: Victor Moses

Date of Birth: 12/12/1990

Birthplace: Lagos

Position: Left-winger, Left-sided forward, Striker

Caps: 18

Club: Liverpool, on loan from Chelsea (both England)

Name: Uche Nwofor

Date of Birth: 17/09/1991

Birthplace: Lagos

Position: Striker

Caps: 4

Club: Heerenveen, on loan from VVV Venlo (both Holland)