Oboabona, Seven Others Hit Eagles Camp As Enyeama Gets Two Match Waiver

Super Eagles in Philly

The Super Eagles camp for the Nations Cup qualifier against Congo Brazzaville opened on Monday night with Turkey based Godfrey Oboabona being the first foreign based player to arrive camp. He has been joined by Ebenezer Kunle Odunlami, Azubuike Egwueke, Gbolahan Salami, Chigozie Agbim Nosa Igiebor, Uche Nwofor, Ramon Azeez and Solomon Osadunna.

Head Coach Stephen Okechukwu Keshi, his assistants Dan The Bull Amokach, Hyadounou Valere and Ike Shorunmu are also all in the team’s Transcorp Metropolitan Hotel in Calabar, with Keshi insisting that there is no time to waste before the game on Saturday.

He also revealed that he has granted team skipper, Vincent Enyeama, leave of absence from the two games against Congo and South Africa’s Bafana Bafana on September 10, because of pressing family issues. “It’s better we excuse him, instead of bringing him down here without him concentrating for the game. I have asked him to sort himself out and he can join us in the future. For now there is no replacement for him because there is no time to do that” he declared.

Team Administrator, Dayo Enebi Achor revealed that almost all invited players safe for Enyeama are already in the country and will all storm camp on Tuesday. The team will have its first training session on Tuesday morning at the Abraham Ordia soccer pitch inside the University of Calabar.

Vincent Enyeama of Nigeria
Photo Credit: FIFA

Obasi Doubtful…

Super Eagles officials have threatened to report German side, Schalke 04 to world soccer governing body, FIFA if Chinedu Ogbuke Obasi fails to come for the Nations Cup qualifiers against Congo and South Africa.

Team Administrator, Dayo Enebi Achor, who has been working round the clock to ensure that all invited players arrive on time for the games revealed that the German side called to say they have submitted the international passport of the player for the coming Champions League hostilities, which may force the player to miss the games, as the passport will not be released on time.

With five days to the game against Congo, officials are angered by the attitude of the club and may report them to FIFA for appropriate sanctions.

NFF RELEASES PROVISIONAL LIST OF SUPER EAGLES FOR 2014 WORLD CUP

After weeks of speculation and intrigue, the Nigeria Football Federation today in Abuja released of provisional list of 30 players likely to make it to Brazil for the FIFA Brazil 2014 World Cup.

There are no real surprises on this list, save for the exclusion of Ike Uche, the other major talking point is the return of Captain Joseph Yobo and Osaze Odewingie.

While its a given that Vincent Enyeama and Austin Ejide will get the first two goalkeeper’s slot, the battle for the third keeper’s position will now be between Chigozie Agbim and Daniel Akpeyi.

Also missing from this list is new boy Leon Balogun Brown Ideye and Portugal based John Ogu amongst others.

Now that the dust as settled it is hoped that all hands will be on deck as Stephen Keshi and his wards head to Brazil.

GOALKEEPERS: Vincent Enyeama, Austin Ejide, Chigozie Agbim, Daniel Akpeyi

DEFENDERS: Elderson Echiejile, Juwon Oshaniwa, Godfrey Oboabona, Azubuike Egwuekwe, Kenneth Omeruo, Joseph Yobo, Kunle Odunlami, Efe Ambrose

MIDFIELDERS: John Mikel Obi, Ogenyi Onazi, Ramon Azeez, Joel Obi, Nosa Igiebor, Michael Uchebo, Ejike Uzoenyi, Sunday Mba, Reuben Gabriel

FORWARDS: Ahmed Musa, Shola Ameobi, Emmanuel Emenike, Obinna Nsofor, Osaze Odemwingie, Babatunde Michael, Victor Moses, Uche Nwofor, Nnamdi Oduamadi

Keshi picks Yobo, 22 others for Mexico friendly

Super Eagles’ Head Coach, Stephen Keshi, has listed Skipper Joseph Yobo in his squad of 23 for the international friendly against Mexico in Atlanta, USA on Wednesday, 5th March.

Yobo, who is back in the keenly-followed English Premiership, this time with Norwich City, on loan from Fenerbahce FC of Turkey, last played for the African champions at the 29th Africa Cup of Nations in South Africa, which Nigeria won.

Also returning are Israel-based defender Juwon Oshaniwa, 2014 African Nations Championship Most Valuable Player Ejike Uzoenyi and Canada-based striker Bright Dike.

New faces include former junior internationals Ramon Azeez and Shehu Abdullahi, and Belgium-based strikers Imoh Ezekiel and Michael Uchebo. Centre – back Kunle Odunlami, who made CAF’s list of Best Eleven at the recent African Nations Championship in South Africa, is also called.

Usual suspects like goalkeepers Vincent Enyeama and Austin Ejide, defenders Elderson Echiejile, Efe Ambrose, Godfrey Oboabona, Azubuike Egwuekwe and Kenneth Omeruo, midfielders John Mikel Obi and Ogenyi Onazi, and forwards Ahmed Musa, Shola Ameobi, Victor Moses, Emmanuel Emenike and Obinna Nsofor will also fly to America.

THE FULL SQUAD OF 23

Goalkeepers: Vincent Enyeama (Lille FC, France); Austin Ejide (Hapoel
Be’er Sheva, Israel)

Defenders: Elderson Echiejile (Monaco FC, France); Efe Ambrose (Celtic FC, Scotland); Godfrey Oboabona (Rizespor, Turkey); Azubuike Egwuekwe (Warri Wolves); Kenneth Omeruo (Middlesbrough FC, England); Juwon Oshaniwa (Ashdod FC, Israel); Joseph Yobo (Norwich City, England) Kunle Odunlami (Sunshine Stars)

Midfielders: John Mikel Obi (Chelsea FC, England); Ogenyi Onazi (SS Lazio, Italy); Ramon Azeez (Almeria FC, Spain); Shehu Abdullahi (Kano Pillars); Ejike Uzoenyi (Enugu Rangers)

Forwards: Ahmed Musa (CSKA Moscow, Russia); Shola Ameobi (Newcastle United, England); Victor Moses (Liverpool FC, England); Emmanuel Emenike (Fenerbahce FC. Turkey); Obinna Nsofor (Chievo Verona, Italy);
Bright Dike (Toronto FC, Canada), Imoh Ezekiel (Standard Liege, Belgium); Michel Uchebo (Cercle Brugge, Belgium)