7th November, 2012
Newcastle striker Shola Ameobi has been handed his first call-up by Nigeria for a friendly next week against Venezuela in Miami.
Ameobi featured for England at various age-grade levels before he was cleared this year to play for the country of his birth.
Chelsea midfielder John Obi Mikel as well as teammate victor Moses and Levante striker Obafemi Martins have also been included on the Nigeria squad.
Poor form and injuries have restricted Martins appearances for his country, but his recent transfer to Levante in the Spanish top flight appears to have revived his career.
Nigeria coach Stephen Keshi will also name 15 players from the Nigeria Premier League for this match, which forms part of the country’s build-up for next year’s Africa Cup of Nations.
The invited foreign pros:
Goalkeeper: Austin Ejide (Hapoel Be’er Sheva/ISR)
Defenders: Elderson Echiejile (FC Braga/POR), Onyekachi Apam (Rennes/FRA)
Midfielders: Mikel Obi (Chelsea/ENG), Nosa Igiebor (Real Betis/ESP), Ogenyi Onazi (SS Lazio/ITA), Raheem Lawal (Adana Demirspor/TUR)
Forwards: Brown Ideye (Dynamo Kiev/UKR), Victor Moses (Chelsea/ENG), Shola Ameobi (Newcastle United/ENG), Obafemi Martins (Levante/ESP)