The Nigeria World Cup squad, confirmed relatively early by coach Lars Lagerback, has had its departure to South Africa delayed by “unspecified” technical problems with their plane at Stansted Airport, north of London.

Lars Lagerback made a number of eyebrow-raising exclusions from his final 23, including their top-scorer in qualifying Ikechukwu Uche. The Real Zaragoza striker was thought to have recovered from a knee injury.

A dodgy knee also saw France-based defender Onyekachi Apam left out. However, Chelsea midfielder Jon Mikel Obi is included, despite having only recently recovered from knee surgery, and having only joined the squad at the weekend.