Keshi recalls Nsofor, Ameobi

Stephen Keshi

Super Eagles coach Stephen Keshi has recalled Emmanuel Emenike, Obinna Nsofor and Shola Ameobi to the team. The attackers were part of a 20-man team list released on Wednesday ahead of an international friendly match against the Bafana Bafana of South Africa in Durban on August 14.

The game which is based on the annual Mandela Challenge at the Moses Mabhida Stadium is in honour of the former South African President and revered world statesman, Dr. Nelson Mandela.

Emenike who finished as top scorer at the 29th Africa Cup of Nations that Nigeria won in South Africa in February, returns to the squad for the first time since that feat. Injury from that competition and another one at his club afterwards kept him out of the team all the while.  Keshi also made room for Newcastle United’s Shola Ameobi, who made his debut for Nigeria last year but stayed away from the African cup despite the desperate attempts made by Keshi to make him play for Nigeria.

The Eagles manager surprised many with the recall of Obinna Nsofor who had been out of the national team for nearly two years. The last time Nsofor played for Nigeria was during the tenure of Samson Siasia as coach of the country. Victor Moses who missed the FIFA Confederations Cup on the account of injury is also back with the team.

Stand-in captain of the team and the number one goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama was left out.

Nsofor was not the only surprise as a former junior international forward Uche Nwofor of VVV Venlo in the Netherlands, made the list dominated by the squad that represented Nigeria at last month’s Confederations Cup tournament in Brazil.

Keshi then placed three home-based professionals – 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, England); Efe Ambrose (Celtic, Scotland); Godfrey Oboabona (Sunshine Stars, Nigeria); Azubuike Egwuekwe (Warri Wolves, Nigeria); Elderson Echiejile (Sporting Braga, Portugal)

Midfielders: Mikel Obi (Chelsea, England); Fegor Ogude (Valerenga, Norway); Victor Moses (Chelsea, 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).