21st August, 2010
Super Eagles Caretaker Coach, Austin Eguavoen is hoping for a very bright start when the senior national team begin their Gabon/Equatorial Guinea 2012 African Cup of Nations qualifying series early next month.
Eguavoen believes that the friendly encounter in Seoul helped him to know the strength of the players and that the opportunity guided him in the selection of those invited for next month’s opening game of the qualifiers.
First choice goalkeeper, Vincent Enyeama of Hapoel Tel Aviv of Isreal, made a return to the Eagles alongside Beni Yehuda’s goalkeeper Dele Aiyenugba, while former Golden Eaglets goalie, Bassey Akpan of Bayelsa United Football Club also made it.
Eguavoen’s list also have some players who represented Nigeria at this year’s World Cup in South Africa like Chidi Odiah (CSKA Moscow of Russia), Danny Shittu (Bolton of England), defender and assistant skipper, Yobo Joseph of Everton and midfielders Etuhu Dickson of Fulham, as well as Kalu Uche of Almeria FC of Spain.
Some of the players who would feature in the match slated for the Abuja national stadium are: Suswam Terna, Lobi Stars, Valentine Nwanebili, Enyimba, Sam Sodje of Charlton Athletic, England and Promise Onuh of Niger Tonadoes.
Also, newly signed West Brom’s Odemwingie Osaze made the cut with Mike Eneramo, the Esperance of Tunisia player who was dropped from the World Cup at the last minute by the Swede Technical Adviser, Lars Lagerback.