Keshi drops Obi and Igiebor as he names his 23-man World Cup squad

SUPER Eagles head coach Stephen Keshi has named his 23-man World Cup squad with a few surprises including the dropping of Parma midfielder Joel Obi and Real Betis playmaker Nosa Igiebor.

 

Just meeting the Fifa deadline of June 2, Keshi was one of the last coaches to submit his list and apart from the two mercurial midfielders who were dropped, there were one or two other eye-catching although less surprising omissions. Among these were Ejike Uzoenyi, the player of the tournament at this year's Championship of African Nations, Olympic silver medallist, Obinna Nsofor and Confederations Cup hero Nnamdi Oduamadi.

 

Skipper Joseph Yobo will play in his third World Cup finals and has the opportunity to become Nigeria’s first ever player to have 100 international caps. Also going to their third World Cup are goalkeepers Vincent Enyeama and Austin Ejide.

 

Nigeria's most well-known player Mikel Obi, will only be attending his first finals after the Eagles narrowly missed qualifying for Germany 2006 and he was omitted from South Africa 2010 due to injury. Elderson Echiejile and Osaze Odemwingie, who were also in South Africa four years ago, make the cut again.

Other big names in the squad include 2013 Africa Cup of Nations top scorer, Emmanuel Emenike, Victor Moses and Shola Ameobi. A few of the surprise inclusions include Uche Nwofor, Michael Babatunde and Reuben Gabriel.

 

Full squad

Goalkeepers

Vincent Enyeama (Lille, France)

Austin Ejide (Hapoel Be'er Sheva, Israel)

Chigozie Agbim (Gombe United, Nigeria)

 

Defenders

Kunle Odunlami (Sunshine Stars, Nigeria)  

Efe Ambrose (Glasgow Rangers, Scotland)

Elderson Echiejile (Monaco, France)

Juwon Oshaniwa (FC Ashdod, Israel)

Godfrey Oboabona (Rizespor, Turkey)

Azubuike Egwuekwe (Warri Wolves, Nigeria)

Kenneth Omeruo (Chelsea, England)

Joseph Yobo (Norwich, England)

 

Midfielders

John Mikel Obi (Chelsea, England)

Ogenyi Onazi (Lazio, Italy)

Ramon Azeez (Almeria, Spain)

Gabriel Rueben (Waasland-Beveren, Belgium)

Michael Uchebo (Cercle Brugge, Belgium)  

 

Attackers

Ahmed Musa (CSKA Moscow, Russia)

Shola Ameobi (Newcastle, England)

Victor Moses (Liverpool, England)

Emmanuel Emenike (Fernebahce, Turkey)

Osaze Odemwingie (Stoke City, England)

Michael Babatunde (Volyn Lutsk, Ukraine)

Uche Nwofor (SC Heerenveen, Holland)

 

Courtesy Nigeria News Watch..............