Keshi calls 20 to honour Mandela in Durban

Head Coach, Stephen Keshi, has invited 20 players to the Super Eagles’
camp ahead of the high-profile international friendly against the
Bafana Bafana of South Africa in Durban on August 14.

The annual Mandela Challenge contest at the Moses Mabhida Stadium is
in honour of ailing former South African President, Dr. Nelson
Mandela, one of the world’s greatest statesmen.

Russia-based Emmanuel Emenike, top scorer at the 29th Africa Cup of
Nations that Nigeria won in South Africa earlier in the year, returns
to the squad for the first time since that feat, and there is also
room for Newcastle United FC’s Shola Ameobi, who recently again made
himself available for Nigeria.

Nimble-footed Chelsea FC ace Victor Moses is also back and while
goalkeeper and skipper Vincent Enyeama is left out, sharp-shooting
Obinna Nsofor returns after nearly two years in the international
wilderness.

Former junior international forward Uche Nwofor, of VVV Venlo in the
Netherlands, is a surprise invitee in a list dominated by the squad
that represented Nigeria at last month’s FIFA Confederations Cup
tournament in Brazil.

Coach Keshi has placed three home boys - defenders Benjamin Francis
and Solomon Kwambe and striker Muhammad Gambo - and little known
Norway-based Samuel Aaron on standby.

THE FULL LIST

GOALKEEPERS: Austin Ejide (Hapoel Be’er Sheva, Israel); Chigozie Agbim
(Enugu Rangers, Nigeria)

DEFENDERS: Kenneth Omeruo (Chelsea FC, England); Efe Ambrose (Celtic
FC, Scotland); Godfrey Oboabona (Sunshine Stars, Nigeria); Azubuike
Egwuekwe (Warri Wolves, Nigeria); Elderson Echiejile (Sporting Braga,
Portugal)

MIDFIELDERS: Mikel Obi (Chelsea FC, England); Fegor Ogude (Valerenga
FC, Norway); Victor Moses (Chelsea FC, England); John Ogu (Academica
de Coimbra, Portugal); Ogenyi Onazi (SS Lazio, Italy); Nnamdi Oduamadi
(AC Milan, Italy); Sunday Mba (Enugu Rangers, Nigeria).

FORWARDS: Ahmed Musa (CSKA Moscow, Russia); Brown Ideye (Dynamo Kyiv,
Ukraine); Shola Ameobi (Newcastle United, England); Emmanuel Emenike
(Spartak Moscow, Russia); Obinna Nsofor (Lokomotiv Moscow, Russia);
Uche Nwofor (VVV Venlo, Netherlands)

STANDBY

Solomon Kwambe (Sunshine Stars, Nigeria); Benjamin Francis (Heartland
FC, Nigeria); Muhammad Gambo (Kano Pillars, Nigeria); Samuel Aaron
(Sarpsborg ‘08 , Norway)

Courtesy: Ademola Olajire
               Assistant Director (Media)
               Nigeria Football Federation