3rd November, 2013
Taiwo Adelu
Super Eagles’ Head Coach, Stephen Keshi, has invited 25 players to prosecute the two big games against Ethiopia and Italy.
Nigeria’s Super Eagles, the African champions will meet Ethiopia in Calabar and Italy in London respectively within 48 hours mid-November.
First to come is the 2014 FIFA World Cup final qualifying match against the Walya Ibex of Ethiopia, at the U. J. Esuene Stadium, Calabar on Saturday, 16 November, a fixture the Eagles lead 2-1 from the first leg in Addis Ababa on 13 October.
A press release from Ademola Olajire, Assistant Director (Media) of Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, on Sunday said two days later, the African champions take on four-time World champions Italy at the Craven Cottage ground of English Premiership club, Fulham FC in a high-profile friendly in London.
Coach Keshi has recalled brilliant young defender Kenneth Omeruo, a
key component of his 2013 Africa Cup of Nations winning squad, as well
as the rugged and attack-minded midfielder Reuben Gabriel.
Both men were out injured for months. Omeruo disclocated a troubled
shoulder at the FIFA Confederations Cup in Brazil in the summer while
Gabriel would be happy to be fully fit after sitting on the bench all through the Africa Cup of Nations campaign.
Stand-in skipper Vincent Enyeama is called alongside goalkeepers Austin Ejide and Chigozie Agbim, while South Africa-based defender James Okwuosa and strikers Obinna Nsofor and Uche Nwofor also keep their places.
The list also includes Africa Cup of Nations top scorer and two-goal hero in Addis Ababa, Emmanuel Emenike.
All the players are expected to report at the Metropolitan Transcorp Hotel, Calabar on Monday, 11 November, 2013.
THE FULL LIST
Goalkeepers: Vincent Enyeama (Lille FC, France); Austin Ejide (Hapoel Be’er Sheva, Israel); Chigozie Agbim (Enugu Rangers, Nigeria)
Defenders: Elderson Echiejile (Sporting Braga, Portugal); Benjamin Francis (Heartland FC, Nigeria); Efe Ambrose (Celtic FC, Scotland); Solomon Kwambe (Sunshine Stars, Nigeria); Godfrey Oboabona (Rizespor FC, Turkey); Azubuike Egwuekwe (Warri Wolves, Nigeria); James Okwuosa (Chippa United, South Africa); Kenneth Omeruo (Chelsea FC, England)
Midfielders: John Mikel Obi (Chelsea FC, England); Victor Moses (Liverpool FC, England); John Ogu (Academica de Coimbra, Portugal); Ogenyi Onazi (SS Lazio, Italy); Nnamdi Oduamadi (Brescia Calcio 1911,
Italy); Nosa Igiebor (Real Betis, Spain); Sunday Mba (Enugu Rangers, Nigeria); Reuben Gabriel (Kilmarnock FC, Scotland)
Forwards: Ahmed Musa (CSKA Moscow, Russia); Brown Ideye (Dynamo Kyiv,
Ukraine); Shola Ameobi (Newcastle United, England); Emmanuel Emenike
(Fenerbahce FC, Turkey); Obinna Nsofor (Lokomotiv Moscow, Russia);
Uche Nwofor (SC Heerenveen, The Netherlands)