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Cup holders Nigeria have called up 23 players, including ace goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama, for next month’s 2015 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying matches against the Red Devils of Congo and South Africa’s Bafana Bafana.
The list released by the Nigeria Football Federation on Tuesday also included defenders Kenneth Omeruo and Efe Ambrose, midfielders Ogenyi Onazi and John Mike Obi, and forwards Ahmed Musa and Emmanuel Emenike.
France –based Elderson Echiejile, who missed the 2014 FIFA World Cup as a result of injury, Nosa Igiebor who missed the final cut for Brazil and Chinedu Obasi who was not considered for the tournament, are all back for September’s double –header.
Onazi, the midfield powerhouse who suffered a terrible injury in the Round of 16 defeat by France, is now fully recovered, but Michael Babatunde, who was stretchered out against Argentina after a hand injury, is left out.
Home –based quartet Chigozie Agbim, Azubuike Egwuekwe, Kunle Odunlami and Gbolahan Salami who were part of Nigeria’s third place finish at the African Nations Championship in Cape Town earlier in the year, also have opportunity to return to Cape of Good Hope and shine. They are joined by Enugu Rangers’ marksman Christian Osaguona as the lot from the domestic League.
Nigeria play Congo’s Red Devils – restored to the race after conquerors Rwanda were found guilty of using an ineligible player – in Calabar on September 6, before flying to Cape Townto take on the Bafana Bafana on September 10.
THE FULL LIST
Goalkeepers: Vincent Enyeama (Lille OSC, France); Austin Ejide (Hapoel Be’er Sheva, Israel); Chigozie Agbim (Gombe United, Nigeria)
Defenders: Elderson Echiejile (Monaco FC, France); Juwon Oshaniwa (Ashdod FC, Israel); Efe Ambrose (Celtic FC, Scotland); Godfrey Oboabona (Rizespor FC, Turkey); Azubuike Egwuekwe (Warri Wolves, Nigeria); Kenneth Omeruo (Middlesbrough FC, England); Kunle Odunlami (Sunshine Stars, Nigeria)
Midfielders: John Mikel Obi (Chelsea FC, England); Ogenyi Onazi (SS Lazio, Italy); Ramon Azeez (Almeria FC, Spain); Joel Obi (Inter Milan, Italy); Nosa Igiebor (Real Betis, Spain); Omatsone Aluko (Hull City, England)
Forwards: Ahmed Musa (CSKA Moscow, Russia); Emmanuel Emenike (Fenerbahce FC, Turkey); Chinedu Obasi (Schalke 04, Germany); Uche Nwofor (Heerenveen FC, Netherlands); Nnamdi Oduamadi (AS Varese 1910, Italy); Gbolahan Salami (Warri Wolves); Christian Osaguona (Enugu Rangers) Click to signup for FREE news updates, latest information and hottest gists everyday
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Mikel again. Why not also Ameobi? wonders shall never end in Naija. What did Mikel play at the world cup in Brasil? What is he playing in Chelsea? At Mikel's age it to say the least retrogressive if other big clubs in Europe are scrambling for young players and Mikel is contented with languishing in Chelsea's bench. Mikel remaining in Chelsea is because because no moderate club has come for him with any meaningful offer? Are you saying he is so fabulous and not even a club in Qatar has made a reasonable offer. Mikel is playing himself to obscurity in the game. For your information,if he leaves Chelsea as free transfer it will mark the beginning to the end of his footballing career.The way Mikel is playing now do you think he will still be playing at the top level in three years time? Sluggish,lacks stamina, lacks the drive.creativity, skill and mind to take on defenders and attackers,so casual and lackadaisical . Are these the qualities of a player clubs will likely invest their money more so when the player is close to 30 years. Unless he does something extraordinary and this is not possible as far as he sits back at Chelsea's bench. Mind you Mikel is not in the mould of Drogba and Eto that can play top flight football even when they are well into their 30s. Beside,it is a shame that an 'old man' like Drogba will leave Chelsea and play top football in another club and still come back to meet him again but this time around, sitting in the bench. Haba! let us look at it now! Our sentiment about Mikel has so blinded us. Yes,as Nigerians we want our own to excel but sad enough Mikel himself is not helping matter the way he plays and his attitude on the pitch. It is sad but he is gradually pulling himself out and playing himself out of top level football. Shikena!
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