₦airaland Forum

Libya can still make it

Nigeria Line-up:
Enyeama, Efe, Oboabaona, Egwuekwe, Elderson; Onazi, Mikel, Ogu; Moses, Musa, Emenike

Real Betis winger Nosa Igiebor has been recalled to the Nigeria squad for next month’s World Cup qualifier against Malawi.

Also recalled as part of a squad of 18 Europe-based and 24 domestic players is goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama, rested for the Nelson Mandela Challenge earlier this month.

Only five of the 24 home boys will eventually join the 18 overseas-based stars for the big game, as well as for the international friendly against Burkina Faso in Kaduna on September 10.

Two-goal hero against South Africa in last week’s Nelson Mandela Challenge Uche Nwofor retains his slot while Spain-based midfielder Nosa Igiebor returns for the first time since the Africa Cup of Nations.

England-based Shola Ameobi and Lokomotiv Moscow’s Obinna Nsofor also return.

Usual suspects goalkeeper Chigozie Agbim, defenders Azubuike Egwuekwe, Solomon Kwambe and Benjamin Francis, as well as midfielders Sunday Mba and forward Muhammad Gambo headline the home boys’ contingent.

Defensive pillar Godfrey Oboabona has been called, but will come in as an overseas-based professional if he is able to conclude his transfer to Rizespor of Turkey in a few days.

All 24 home boys are expected at the Bolton White Apartments, Abuja, on Sunday, August 24, while the 18 Europe-based stars are expected to arrive unfailingly in Calabar on Monday, September 2.

“We are calling up 24 home boys in order to be able to identify new players for the 2014 African Nations Championship, for which we have already qualified,” Keshi says.

Nigeria, on nine points, need only avoid defeat against seven-pointer Malawi at the UJ Esuene Stadium on September 7 to reach the 10-team final elimination round of the African qualifying race for next year’s showpiece in Brazil.

The friendly against the Etalons at the Ahmadu Bello Stadium three days later brings together the two teams that battled for the Africa Cup of Nations trophy in Soccercity, Johannesburg on February 10.

Nigeria won 1-0 that day.



LIST OF HOME-BASED PROFESSIONALS

Goalkeepers: Chigozie Agbim (Enugu Rangers); Daniel Akpeyi (Heartland FC)



Defenders: Azubuike Egwuekwe (Warri Wolves); Godfrey Oboabona

(Sunshine Stars); Solomon Kwambe (Sunshine Stars); Umar Zango (Kano

Pillars); Benjamin Francis (Heartland FC); Kunle Odunlami (Sunshine

Stars); Chibuzor Okonkwo (Enugu Rangers); Yinka Adedeji (Sharks FC);

Ganiyu Ogungbe (Kwara United)



Midfielders: Sunday Mba (Enugu Rangers); Solomon Jabason (Akwa

United); Olufemi Oladapo (Shooting Stars); Etebo Oghene (Warri

Wolves); Rabiu Ali (Kano Pillars); Moses Orkuma (Lobi Stars)



Forwards: Muhammad Gambo (Kano Pillars); Ifeanyi Edeh (Enyimba FC);

Mbah Ezekiel (Akwa United); Barnabas Imenger (Lobi Stars); Izu Azuka

(Sunshine Stars); Dimgba Stanley (Kwara United); Osadaiye Joseph

(Warri Wolves)



LIST OF FOREIGN-BASED PLAYERS

Goalkeepers: Vincent Enyeama (Lille FC, France); Austin Ejide (Hapoel

Be’er Sheva, Israel)



Defenders: Elderson Echiejile (Sporting Braga, Portugal); Efe Ambrose

(Celtic FC, Scotland); James Okwuosa (Chippa United, South Africa)



Midfielders: John Mikel Obi (Chelsea FC, England); Fegor Ogude

(Valerenga FC, Norway); John Ogu (Academica de Coimbra, Portugal);

Victor Moses (Chelsea FC, England); Ogenyi Onazi (SS Lazio, Italy);

Nnamdi Oduamadi (AC Milan, Italy); Nosa Igiebor (Real Betis, Spain)



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);

Uche Nwofor (VVV Venlo, Netherlands)

Anybody has a link?

Redcafe1: Nigeria XI(4-3-3) vs South Africa, Ejide; Ambrose, Egwuekwe, Oboabona, Elderson; Mba, Ogu, Onazi; Ameobi, Obinna, Musa;

Where's Moses?

https://www.kickoffnigeria.com/chops/images/resized/main/8f65b0f4ac15f122ed9b9df54fb42bdc.jpg

Everton have earmarked Elderson Echiejile as replacement for Leighton Baines who appears to be on his way out of Goodison Park.

According to The Mirror, Roberto Martinez has identified the Nigerian international left-back as a replacement for Baines, who has been consistently linked with a move to Manchester United.

Echiejile has a release clause of £4 million, but Sporting Braga will be willing to sell for a fraction of that amount, instead of seeing him leave for free at the end of the season, as he has just a year left in his contract with the Portuguese club.

The 25-year-old has been a consistent performer for the Super Eagles in recent years, and has already won 33 caps for Nigeria at senior level.

Favorite wrestler

Emenike and Musa both scored this weekend

6' GOAL CIV 1-0 Nigeria

Emmanuel Emenike could depart Spartak Moscow in the summer transfer market , according to reports in Russia.

Championat.com says a number of clubs in Turkey (Fenerbahce), England and China have made enquiries on the availability of the Nigeria international.

The 26 - year - old's release clause said to be around 42 million euros is far from market reality.

Suitors will be willing to purchase the African Cup of Nations top scorer for 15 million euros.

Emmanuel Emenike has netted 22 goals in 49 appearances for Spartak Moscow.

Super Eagles and Inter Milan attacking midfielder, Joel Obi, has sent cheering news to Nigerian soccer fans that he would be ready for the all important Super Eagles’ final Group F game against Flames of Malawi in the second leg of the 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifying match between the two teams holding in Nigeria on September 5, 2013.
Speaking from his base in Italy on Thursday, the talented midfielder said he has passed through all the necessary steps for recovery and be would joining Inter on July 10, 2013 for full training sessions for coming new season in Europe.
The player is particularly happy that he has a brighter chance of getting involved in Nigeria’s battle for one of the tickets for the 2014 World Cup, which is getting to a final crescendo with the final group F match against Malawi in Nigeria on September 5, 2013.

Obi said: “Firstly I want to thank God Almighty for helping me to see through the process of my recovery from the injury that has stopped me from playing for my club and country for some time now.
“I want to tell you especially that I will be re-joining my teammates for full training sessions in July 10. So that means I will be back fully on that day and I am really happy about this. It is not easy to pass through the process of recovery from injury but as a professional football player that is one of the things we must pass through. But the joy of rejoining my teammates in Inter really makes me happy.”

Obi, who has always been impressive while playing for the Eagles before he was injured, said he would be ready for the September 5, 2013 World Cup qualifying match against Malawi in Nigeria.
He said: “I should be ready for the next Eagles match if I continue to improve in my fitness level. Like I said, I will be back in Inter for preparations for the next season. So let us see how it goes from there, but I sincerely wish and hope to play for the Eagles in the next World Cup qualifying match.”
He, however, expressed happiness in the Nigerian team for waxing stronger since they won the 2013 African Cup of Nations in February (2013) in South Africa.

He added: “I will confess to you that I am a proud Nigerian here in Italy foe what the Eagles has done so far, most especially by winning the Afcon 2013 in South Africa. The Eagles have really done well and I am very happy about it. I am a proud man here and I watched the Confederation Cup on with pride and happiness with the way the team played their three matches against very strong team like Spain and Uruguay.”

Stephen Keshi has confirmed that he has established communications with Inter Milan midfielder Joel Obi, but has given conditions for the player's return to the national team.

The Super Eagles coach made this disclosure to newsmen at a media briefing on Wednesday at the Bolton White Hotel, where the national team have been camping in preparation for their crucial African Nations Championship (CHAN) qualifying game against Ivory Coast.

Keshi, who described Obi as ‘a son’, disclosed that the player has declared his allegiance to the national team and would be invited provided he can stay free from injuries.

“Yes, I spoke with him several times since the last media parley with you guys last Wednesday,” Keshi confirms.

“Joel is like a son to me and I love the way he plays. He is skilful and has the talent of a great player. I have spoken with him many times now and he has given assurances of playing for the team any time I invite him.

“I only pray that he doesn’t sustain injuries again so that he can contribute his quota to the team also.”

Ideye is good at setting up other players
Musa is one of the fastest players in the world. His pace alone scares other teams.

Nigeria should invite him before England does.

The stadium will not be maintained

Hopefully

Joel Obi

Yakubu was better than Ideye during his prime

No

Good

Looks good
I like the collar

It's better than the 2010 world cup jersey
https://i.imgur.com/ob42a6E.jpg

Yes
Realistically Nigeria has to win by more than 2 goals

What is this guy smoking?

We need to beat Spain by 4 goals to guarantee qualification

Nnamdi Oduamadi described his hat-trick against Tahiti at the Fifa Confederations Cup as 'massive' and says it is the reward of hard work.

The goals have also earned him an immediate recall to his parent club AC Milan.

"I am very happy. I really worked hard and getting three goals in the Confederations Cup is massive for me," he told KickOffNigeria.com.

Oduamadi, on loan to Varese from Milan, was to find out just how massive it was indeed when he discovered that after his second goal, AC Milan president Adriano Galliani called up manager Massimilliano Allegri and directed him to bring the Nigerian back Milan's pre-season training camp.

"That's fantastic for me and I want to give glory to God."

Oduamadi spent last season on loan at Varese, playing a very good second half of the season after returning from injury, which cost him a spot on Nigeria's Nations Cup squad.

But on a night of personal glory, Oduamadi, like the rest of the Nigeria squad felt a tinge of disappointment not only at the numerous missed opportunities, but also at his wrongfully disallowed goal.

"I'm a little bit disappointed that we missed so many chances and that the referee cancelled a good goal which I scored.

"But let’s see what happens in the second game."

http://www.kickoff.com/news/35091/nnamdi-oduamadi-described-his-hat-trick-against-tahiti-at-the-fifa-confederations-cup-as-massive-

Nigeria 3 Tahiti 0

onitshaigbo: I don't understand why people are talking about this match so much. It's Tahiti we're playing against. This is a team that our U20 team can easily crush. Even with 8 players, the Super Eagles can still win against them. We should be worried about Spain and Uruguay.

one game at a time

Nigeria can beat Uruguay

Nigeria needs to score as many goals as possible in this match. The group might be decided on goal differential.

Nigerians should hope Spain wins this match so a Nigeria tie vs Uruguay will be ok.