Newcastle striker Shola Ameobi has been handed a first time Nigeria call-up by coach Stephen Keshi. Ameobi was cleared to play for Nigeria last year alongside Victor Moses, but has missed out so far mostly due to injury.
The 31-year-old is one of 11 Europe-based players named by the Nigeria coach for a friendly match against Venezuela next week in Miami, Florida.
Ameobi, cleared to play for Nigeria last year alongside Victor Moses after a long-drawn process, gets his first call and battles for a place upfront with Moses, Ukraine-based Brown Ideye, Martins and a trio of home boys.
The 11 will join 26 professionals from the domestic league who have been battling it out in camp in Abuja since Sunday, from among whom 15 will be picked for the trip to America.
Wednesday's match at Marlins Park is one of a number of games meant to prepare the two-time African champions for the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations finals in South Africa, starting on January 19.
Israel-based goalkeeper Austin Ejide, a 10-year veteran, tops the list that also includes 2010 World Cup star Obafemi Martins.
Surprise call-up is former junior international defender Apam Onyekachi, back from injury at Nice FC of France, with Portugal-based defender Elderson Echiejile also heading to America.
Chelsea FC of England star and Nigeria's only last-man standing in the Africa Player of the Year race, Mikel Obi tops a midfield cast that includes former junior international Raheem Lawal, Ogenyi Eddy Onazi and Nosa Igiebor.
ALL THE FOREIGN-BASED PROS:
Goalkeeper: Austin Ejide (Hapoel Be'er Sheva, Israel)
Defenders: Elderson Echiejile (FC Braga, Portugal); Apam Onyekachi (Nice FC, France)
Midfielders: John Mikel Obi (Chelsea FC, England); Nosa Igiebor (Real Betis, Spain); Ogenyi Onazi (SS Lazio, Italy); Raheem Lawal (Adana Demirspor, Turkey)
Forwards: Brown Ideye (Dynamo Kyiv, Ukraine); Victor Moses (Chelsea FC, England); Shola Ameobi (Newcastle United, England); Obafemi Martins (Levante FC, Spain)
No comments:
Post a Comment