Newcastle striker Shola Ameobi has been handed a first time Nigeria call-up by coach Stephen Keshi.

Ameobi was cleared to play for Nigeria last year alongside Victor Moses, but has missed out so far mostly due to injury.

The 31-year-old is one of 11 Europe-based players named by the Nigeria coach for a friendly match against Venezuela next week in Miami, Florida.

Ameobi, cleared to play for Nigeria last year alongside Victor Moses after a long-drawn process, gets his first call and battles for a place upfront with Moses, Ukraine-based Brown Ideye, Martins and a trio of home boys.

The 11 will join 26 professionals from the domestic league who have been battling it out in camp in Abuja since Sunday, from among whom 15 will be picked for the trip to America.

Wednesday's match at Marlins Park is one of a number of games meant to prepare the two-time African champions for the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations finals in South Africa, starting on January 19.

Israel-based goalkeeper Austin Ejide, a 10-year veteran, tops the list that also includes 2010 World Cup star Obafemi Martins.

Surprise call-up is former junior international defender Apam Onyekachi, back from injury at Nice FC of France, with Portugal-based defender Elderson Echiejile also heading to America.

Chelsea FC of England star and Nigeria's only last-man standing in the Africa Player of the Year race, Mikel Obi tops a midfield cast that includes former junior international Raheem Lawal, Ogenyi Eddy Onazi and Nosa Igiebor.

ALL THE FOREIGN-BASED PROS:

Goalkeeper: Austin Ejide (Hapoel Be'er Sheva, Israel)

Defenders: Elderson Echiejile (FC Braga, Portugal); Apam Onyekachi (Nice FC, France)

Midfielders: John Mikel Obi (Chelsea FC, England); Nosa Igiebor (Real Betis, Spain); Ogenyi Onazi (SS Lazio, Italy); Raheem Lawal (Adana Demirspor, Turkey)

Forwards: Brown Ideye (Dynamo Kyiv, Ukraine); Victor Moses (Chelsea FC, England); Shola Ameobi (Newcastle United, England); Obafemi Martins (Levante FC, Spain)

http://www.kickoff.com/news/31204/newcastle-striker-shola-ameobi-has-been-handed-a-first-time-nigeria-call-up-

ameobi is 31. we should be looking to the future .he should ve picked a young up and coming player instead.e.g Anichebe

WOW!! Shola Ameobi!! I am happy this Yoruba boy has finally remembered his fathers name.. Welcome home son, better make us proud o!!

_Second!!!.

RESULT IS WHAT WE NEED IF YOU LIKE INVITE KANU OR RASHEED YEKINI RIP

Where is Osaze??

Ameobi? I tot he rejected the call up sometimes ago anyway nice one 4 martins and apam what about osaze and taye taiwo wish naija all the best

Why dem no invite osaze

This space is not for sale

y nt try to bring in sammy ameobi too. d guy is gud wit his long legs and he is still young. well wish naija d best. naija till i die!.

[quote author=CLT123]Newcastle striker Shola Ameobi has been handed a first time Nigeria call-up by coach Stephen Keshi.



He was invited in 2000 under jo bonfree but he turned down to chance to rep us thinking he cud replace micheal owen

No OSaze, No Anichebe. . . . . But a 31 years old grampa who has never played African football gets a call up?. . . . Sheer genius.

Okija_juju: WOW!! Shola Ameobi!! I am happy this Yoruba boy has finally remembered his fathers name.. Welcome home son, better make us proud o!!

_Second!!!.

This is just a friendly match, the coach can invite any players to test their ability before the AFCON 2013.

Of the trio i think na only Mikel make sense, the other 2 na old legs

Oh Lord! Why not Sammy. What do we need that grandpa for? No Joel no Obiora none of the Uche brothers, and we are playing Venezuela a low and poorly ranked team. What happened to Spain, Germany, Netherland etc?

Is keshi and amokachi not a fool so? Inviting a 31yr old ameobi 1st time call for that matter!!!! when we have young breeds doin well in europe!! Senseless! A step to failure.

Ameobi, 31 yrs and still invited!!! What happened to Osaze, who is younger and full of agility presently

Y did u invite ameobi despite the facts that he turned nigeria down when he was useful, he neva bliv in nigeria as at that time,now when he is getting old he now remember to come home...pls think of it very well.nigeria gets beta players like martins,osas,moses,emenike,uche,anichebe,musa,ideye etc why this old cargo who now remember to come home late....abeg

I don't see Ameobi's usefulness in the eagles at all. at 31, what is he needed for? he doesn't even start at NC, so what is he coming to do? waste of time from Keshi here.

Keshi is in confusion state at this moment hope he will not disapoint us in his selection ideas ! goodluck super eagle

Inviting Ameobi @ 31 years for his 1st cap?
Now I'm getting SUSPICIOUS of Keshi.

Sammy Ameobi who's just 20+ is a better idea.

Lordave: Oh Lord! Why not Sammy. What do we need that grandpa for? No Joel no Obiora none of the Uche brothers, and we are playing Venezuela a low and poorly ranked team. What happened to Spain, Germany, Netherland etc?

Where were you when Osaze said he won't play for Nigeria anymore?this is just a friendly match to test some players who can still be relevant to the team.Did u knw the basis for the selection?did u bother to find out if some of the Mentioned players and Teams are available for friendlies on that date?instead u just sit in ur Fada's house,waiting for moderators to post,so u can keep urself busy by critisizing.I don't blame u sha!!!!don't bother watching the match,ok!!!NITWIT