Nigeria coach Stephen Keshi released injured Turkey-based striker Uche Kalu and Kilmarnock's Rabiu Ibrahim from his squad on Monday ahead of his final selection for the African Cup of Nations.
Keshi also dropped Henry Uche and Papa Idris from contention for his 23-man squad for the tournament in South Africa. The deadline for squads to be named is Wednesday. The Nigeria Football Federation said the four players left the team camp in Portugal on Monday.
Keshi has 27 players left in his training group but is almost certainly without Shola Ameobi for the tournament after the striker remained in England with Premier League team Newcastle.
Nigeria faces defending champion Zambia, Ethiopia and Burkina Faso in its group at the African Cup, which starts on Jan. 19.
