Emenike, Igiebor Return For Malawi Clash

Emenike, Igiebor Return For Malawi Clash

: Aug 20, 2013

--Keshi's Squad For Malawi Clash Unveiled
By Johnny Edward:


Super Eagles coach Stephen Keshi has handed a recall to Real Betos midfielder
Nosa Igiebor for the crucial World Cup qualifier against Malawi in Calabar on the 7th of September.Igiebor who was sensationally dropped from the team after the AFCON triumph was in fine form for Betis as they were pipped 2-1 by Real Madrid Sunday night.

Keshi also called up 24 home-based professionals  for the encounter with only five of them joining the overseas-based stars for the big game, as well as for the international friendly against the Etalons of Burkina Faso in Kaduna on Tuesday, 10th September.

“We are calling up 24 home boys in order to be able to identify new players for the 2014 African Nations Championship, for which we have already qualified,” said Keshi.

Vincent Enyeama, Austin Ejide,  Efe Ambrose, Elderson Echiejile, John Mikel Obi, Ogenyi Onazi, Victor Moses, Emmanuel Emenike, Ahmed Musa and Brown Ideye top the list of the Europe-based.

Two-goal hero against South Africa in last week’s Nelson Mandela Challenge, Uche Nwofor retains his slot while Spain-based midfielder Nosa Igiebor returns for the first time since the Africa Cup of Nations finals.

England-based Shola Ameobi and Lokomoti Moscow’s Obinna Nsofor also return.

Nigeria, currently leading the group with nine  points must avoid defeat against Malawi who are second with 7points at the U. J. Esuene Stadium on 7th September, to reach the 10-team final elimination round of the African qualifying race for next year’s showpiece in Brazil.

LIST OF HOME-BASED PROFESSIONALS

Goalkeepers: Chigozie Agbim (Enugu Rangers); Daniel Akpeyi (Heartland FC).

Defenders: Azubuike Egwuekwe (Warri Wolves); Godfrey Oboabona(Sunshine Stars); Solomon Kwambe (Sunshine Stars); Umar Zango (KanoPillars); Benjamin Francis (Heartland FC); Kunle Odunlami (SunshineStars); Chibuzor Okonkwo (Enugu Rangers); Yinka Adedeji (Sharks FC);Ganiyu Ogungbe (Kwara United).

Midfielders: Sunday Mba (Enugu Rangers); Solomon Jabason (AkwaUnited); Olufemi Oladapo (Shooting Stars); Etebo Oghene (WarriWolves); Rabiu Ali (Kano Pillars); Moses Orkuma (Lobi Stars)Forwards: Muhammad Gambo (Kano Pillars); Ifeanyi Edeh (Enyimba FC);Mbah Ezekiel (Akwa United); Barnabas Imenger (Lobi Stars); Izu Azuka(Sunshine Stars); Dimgba Stanley (Kwara United); Osadaiye Joseph(Warri Wolves)LIST OF FOREIGN-BASED PLAYERSGoalkeepers: Vincent Enyeama (Lille FC, France); Austin Ejide (HapoelBe’er Sheva, Israel)Defenders: Elderson Echiejile (Sporting Braga, Portugal); Efe Ambrose(Celtic FC, Scotland); James Okwuosa (Chippa United, South Africa)Midfielders: John Mikel Obi (Chelsea FC, England); Fegor Ogude(Valerenga FC, Norway); John Ogu (Academica de Coimbra, Portugal);Victor Moses (Chelsea FC, England); Ogenyi Onazi (SS Lazio, Italy);Nnamdi Oduamadi (AC Milan, Italy); Nosa Igiebor (Real Betis, Spain).

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 (VVV Venlo, Netherlands) --------------------- complete sports