Nigeria coach Stephen Keshi has named his provisional 30-man squad for next month’s World Cup, with\u00a0skipper Joseph Yobo making a return for the first time since February 2013.<\/p>\n
Also back\u00a0is in-form Stoke City of England striker Osaze Odemwingie who returns after two years following the resolution of a disagreement with Keshi.<\/p>\n
There was however no place for out-of-favour stars like Ike Uche of Villarreal in Spain, MLS star Obafemi Martins and Bursaspor of Turkey left-back Taye Taiwo.<\/p>\n
Resurgent Schalke winger Chinedu Obasi who has managed a consistent run with the Germans since his return from long-term injury late last\u00a0year was not listed.<\/p>\n
Surprise inclusions were\u00a0Parma\u00a0midfielder Joel Obi and Heerenveen striker Uche Nwofor who have had little or no game time at their clubs in recent months.<\/p>\n
An injury-plague season has seen the talented Obi make just seven appearances in Serie A, with a total of 166 minutes of football. On his part Nwofor has managed just 49 minutes of action all season for Heerenveen who finished fifth in the\u00a0Dutch top-flight this campaign.<\/p>\n
Also included is Real Betis midfielder Nosa Igiebor, another who has struggled with injuries lately. The 23-year-old is currently nursing a knee injury.<\/p>\n
The list which was released today in\u00a0Abuja\u00a0on Tuesday largely kept faith with the bulk of Keshi’s AFCON-winning side of 2013.<\/p>\n
No interference<\/strong><\/p>\n Keshi had earlier revealed that the squad was entirely drawn up by him and his assistants, insisting that the Nigeria Football Federation did not interfere with his choices.<\/p>\n “The NFF is our parent body and should be concerned about team composition for the World Cup, because the body is made up of well-meaning Nigerians, but to be honest to Nigerians nobody in the NFF has come to me to say pick player A or B. They respect my job as the Head Coach and I respect them as my employers and there is no clash of interest,” the former Super Eagles captain said.<\/p>\n The Big Boss pleaded with Nigerians to trust him and his technical crew not to fail them in Brazil.<\/p>\n “All Nigerians are entitled to suggest whoever they think should be in the team but all of them must also respect the fact that I and my assistants have the final say and we will not fail Nigerians in this onerous duty.”<\/p>\n FULL SQUAD<\/p>\n Goalkeepers<\/strong><\/p>\n Vincent Enyeama, Austin Ejide, Chigozie Agbim, Daniel Akpeyi<\/p>\n Defenders<\/strong><\/p>\n Elderson Echiejile, Juwon Oshaniwa, Efe Ambrose, Godfrey Oboabona, Azubuike Egwuekwe, Kenneth Omeruo, Joseph Yobo, Kunle Odunlami<\/p>\n Midfielders<\/strong><\/p>\n John Mikel Obi, Ogenyi Onazi, Ramon Azeez, Ejike Uzoenyi, Sunday Mba, Gabriel Rueben, Nosa Igiebor, Joel Obi, Michael Uchebo<\/p>\n Attackers<\/strong><\/p>\n Ahmed Musa, Shola Ameobi, Victor Moses, Emmanuel Emenike, Obinna Nsofor, Osaze Odemwingie, Michael Babatunde, Nnamdi Oduamadi, Nwofor Uche<\/p>\n by: Gary Al-Smith\/Citifmonline.com\/Ghana<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Nigeria coach Stephen Keshi has named his provisional 30-man squad for next month’s World Cup, with\u00a0skipper Joseph Yobo making a return for the first time since February 2013. Also back\u00a0is in-form Stoke City of England striker Osaze Odemwingie who returns after two years following the resolution of a disagreement with Keshi. There was however no […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":14,"featured_media":16937,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[1],"tags":[],"yoast_head":"\n