Torino midfielder Joel Obi has pulled out of Nigeria's 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match in Tanzania, officials said Tuesday.

The former Inter Milan midfielder is suffering from a muscle injury he received at his club.

"Joel Obi would no longer make the game. He has spoken with the coach and has been granted permission to stay back in Italy," Nigeria team spokesman Toyin Ibitoye told AFP.

Nigeria have called up 18 foreign pros to be joined by six players from the domestic league for Saturday's Nations Cup match against Tanzania in Dar es Salaam.

They will depart the country's capital Abuja on a special flight on Thursday afternoon.

The Super Eagles are second in their qualifying group for the 2017 Africa Cup in Gabon after they beat Chad 2-0 at home in June and Egypt trounced Tanzania 3-0.