Veteran Nwankwo Kanu was selected even though he has hardly played for relegated Portsmouth this season.

English-based strikers Yakubu Aiyegbeni, Victor Anichebe and John Utaka were also named along with Obafemi Martins, Victor Obinna, Ikechukwu Uche and Chinedu Obasi.

There was no place though for defender Obinna Nwaneri and midfielder Seyi Olofinjana, who were both regulars in Nigeria's qualifying campaign.

The Super Eagles, who finished third in the 2010 African Cup of Nations, will compete in Group B against Argentina, Greece and South Korea.

Nigeria provisional squad

Vincent Enyeama (Hapoel Tel Aviv), Dele Ayenugba (Beni Yehuda FC), Bassey Akpan (Bayelsa United), Austine Ejide (Hapoel Petah Tikva); Taye Taiwo (Marseille), Elderson Echiejile (Rennes), Chidi Odiah (CSKA Moscow) Onyekachi Apam (Nice), Joseph Yobo (Everton), Daniel Shittu (Bolton), Ayodele Adeleye (Sparta Rotterdam), Rabiu Afolabi (Salzburg), Peter Suswan (Lobi Stars); Kalu Uche (Almeria), Dickson Etuhu (Fulham), John Obi Mikel (Chelsea), Sani Kaita (Alaniya), Lukman Haruna (Monaco), Ayila Yussuf (Dynamo Kiev), Peter Osaze (Lokomotiv Moscow); Yakubu Ayegbeni (Everton), Victor Anichebe (Everton), Chinedu Obasi (Hoffenheim), Nwankwo Kanu (Portsmouth), Obafemi Martins (Wolfsburg), Ideye Brown (Sochaux), Ikechukwu Uche (Zaragoza), John Utaka (Portsmouth), Peter Utaka (Odense), Victor Obinna (Malaga)