The Villareal striker has been recalled by coach
Stephen Keshi who also returns to his role in charge
of the national team as they face Congo and South
Africa in must win matches
Oct 31, 2014 15:37:49
Nigeria have recalled
Ikechukwu Uche to their
squad ahead of next month's
pair of Africa Cup of Nations
qualifying matches against
Congo and South Africa.
Coach Stephen Keshi, who returns to his job after
being edged out two weeks ago, is going to work with
the Villareal striker almost two years after they parted
ways following break down in relations.
Uche was conspicuosly the best Nigeria striker in
Europe last season but was ignored as Keshi opted
for other strikers during the Super Eagles' World Cup
campaign.
Keshi's return to the job is due to board room politics
as the country's leader waded in during the week to
ensure factions in the Nigeria Football Federation
sheathed their swords to avoid earning Fifa's ire.
52-year-old Keshi, the country's most successful
local coach, has come under intense criticism for his
handling of player invitations and his relations with
NFF top brass who described him as increasingly
difficult to handle.
After his contract ran out at the end of the World Cup,
he was brought back to work in an interim role by the
sports minister while elections were held for a new
board that would negotiate terms for a new contract.
However, his team lost two of their four matches in
the Afcon qualifiers, won one and drew the other and
need to win their last two in order to qualify for
Morocco 2015.
He was asked to leave a day after their 3-1 victory
over Sudan in Abuja while former coach Amodu
Shaibu was asked to step in and see through the
remaining matches.
Justifying the return of Keshi, the NFF stated that
Amodu wrote a letter asking for Keshi to continue in
the job while he would assist in his bigger role as
technical adviser to the federation.
Keshi also recalled Sunshine Stars' Solomon Kwambe
and handed a first call up to Dolphins' Emem Eduok
and Tony Edjomari of Nasarawa United.
Nigeria travel to face Congo in Pointe Noire on
November 14 before concluding with a home tie
against South Africa on November 19.
Full Squad
Goalkeepers: Vincent Enyeama (Lille OSC, France);
Austin Ejide (Hapoel Be’er Sheva, Israel); Chigozie
Agbim (Gombe United, Nigeria)
Defenders: Elderson Echiejile (Monaco FC, France);
Juwon Oshaniwa (Ashdod FC, Israel); Efe Ambrose
(Celtic FC, Scotland); Solomon Kwambe (Sunshine
Stars, Nigeria); Godfrey Oboabona (Rizespor FC,
Turkey); Kenneth Omeruo (Middlesbrough FC,
England); Azubuike Egwuekwe (Warri Wolves, Nigeria)
Midfielders: John Mikel Obi (Chelsea FC, England);
Ogenyi Onazi (SS Lazio, Italy); Hope Akpan (Reading
FC, England); Raheem Lawal (Eskisehirspor FC,
Turkey); Omatsone Aluko (Hull City, England); Tony
Edjomari (Nasarawa United, Nigeria)
Forwards: Ahmed Musa (CSKA Moscow, Russia);
Emmanuel Emenike (Fenerbahce FC, Turkey);
Gbolahan Salami (Warri Wolves, Nigeria); Osaguona
Ighodaro (Enugu Rangers, Nigeria); Ikechukwu Uche
(Villareal FC, Spain); Aaron Samuel (Guangzhou R&F,
China); Sunday Emmanuel (SV Scholz Grodig,
Austria); Babatunde Michael (Volyn Lutsk, Ukraine):
Emem Eduok (Dolphins FC, Nigeria)