Keshi Recalls Okwuosa

Nigeria coach Stephen Keshi has recalled Enugu Rangers skipper James Okwuosa for a friendly against Niger in August in Niamey.

Nigeria will take on Niger in Niamey on August 15 as part of their build-up for a 2013 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Liberia in September.

Okwuosa was among the first set of call-ups to be picked by Keshi in December. He would later be dropped for not showing enough commitment to the team because about that time he was on his way to trials in Europe.

The big central defender, who has featured for Lobi Stars and El Kanemi Warriors, only recently tried out with top South African club Ajax Cape Town. He even featured in a pre-season game against Manchester United.

Keshi has also tried to resolve his problems in the midfield by calling up Shooting Stars playmaker Philip Asuquo and Solomon Jabason from Akwa United.

Asuquo was picked as the MTNFootball.com Player of Week 35 after a man-of-the-match performance against league leaders Rangers on Sunday.

While former Wikki midfielder Jabason is making a return to the team after he was first called up earlier this year.

Other fresh call-ups are Sibi Gwar (Niger Tornadoes), Taofeek Adepoju (Shooting Stars) and Solomon Kwambe (Sunshine Stars).

Heartland goalkeeper Daniel Akpeyi has also been preferred to Okiemute Odah of Sharks.