Keshi announces World Cup play-off squad

 Super Eagles’ Head Coach Stephen Keshi has released a list of 23 players for preparations towards the first leg tie of the team’s 2014 FIFA World Cup final elimination fixture. A statement on Friday in Abuja by Ademola Olajire, Assistant Director (Media), Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), said the players are expected in Abuja between October 6 and October 7.
"The players are to battle for shirts ahead of the first leg match of the 2014 FIFA World Cup final elimination fixture against Ethiopia’s Walya Antelopes in Addis Ababa on Saturday, October 12. "The NFF is making arrangements to have the full squad train for four days in Abuja before the departure to Addis Ababa on the eve of the game,’’ it said. African champions Nigeria will take on the Antelopes at the Addis Ababa National Stadium. Both teams will then clash in the return match at the U. J. Esuene Stadium in Calabar on Saturday, November 16. The aggregate winners over the two legs will advance to Brazil for the 2014 finals scheduled for June 12 to July 13. The statement said the list of 23 players has stand-in skipper Vincent Enyeama, as well as England-based midfielders Mikel Obi and Victor Moses, and forwards Brown Ideye and Emmanuel Emenike.
"Keshi has called up three goalkeepers, seven defenders, seven midfielders and six strikers as the Eagles aim for a win in Addis Ababa to make the second leg in Calabar a much easier session,’’ it said. The list contains 18 overseas-based players as well as five Nigeria-based players. Goalkeepers Vincent Enyeama (Lille FC, France), Austin Ejide (Hapoel Be’er Sheva, Israel) and Chigozie Agbim (Rangers International) Defenders Efe Ambrose (Celtic FC, Scotland), Elderson Echiejile (Sporting Braga, Portugal), Francis Benjamin (Heartland FC), Solomon Kwambe (Sunshine Stars), Azubuike Egwuekwe (Warri Wolves), Godfrey Oboabona (Rizespor FC, Turkey) and James Okwuosa (Chippa United, South Africa). Midfielders Mikel Obi (Chelsea FC, England) and John Ogu (Academica de Coimbra, Portugal), Ogenyi Onazi (SS Lazio, Italy), Nosa Igiebor (Real Betis, Spain), Victor Moses (Chelsea FC, England), Sunday Mba (Rangers International) and Nnamdi Oduamadi (AC Milan, Italy). Forwards Ahmed Musa (CSKA Moscow, Russia), Brown Ideye (Dynamo Kyiv, Ukraine), Shola Ameobi (Newcastle United, England), Emmanuel Emenike (Fenerbahce FC, Turkey), Obinna Nsofor (Lokomotiv Moscow, Russia) and Uche Nwofor (SC Heerenveen, Netherlands) -NAN