KESHI snubs Yobo again... Emenike, Uche In

Stephen Keshi has again snubs Super Eagles captain Joseph yobo from his latest list of player for national assignment while AFCON hot-shot Emmanuel Emenike and rave of the moment Kalu Uche were listed for May and June Nigeria matches.

 

Kalu Uche has earned himself a recall to the Nigeria squad after 16 months following distinguished performances for Turkish club Kasimpasa.

Uche was named in Stephen Keshi's squad of 30 players to prosecute a gruelling schedule of matches in the summer months of May and June.

Uche's return of 16 goals in 27 appearances in the Turkish league is second only to Galatasaray's Buruk Yilmaz, who has two more, and was enough to persuade Keshi to hand him a recall.

 

Also back is striker Emmanuel Emenike after missing out the post-African Nations Cup party with the injury he sustained at the tournament.

FC Cologne striker Anthony Ujah gets his first call-up to the senior Nigeria side after representing Nigeria at Under-23 level two years ago.

 

There are four goalkeepers, eight defenders, seven midfielders and 11 strikers.

The African champions have a high-profile friendly against CONCACAF champions Mexico in Houston, Texas, USA on the last day of May, before two World Cup qualifying matches in Nairobi and Windhoek that come before the 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup tournament in Brazil.

Nigeria play Tahiti, Uruguay and Spain in Brazil but will play two more games if they advance to the knock-out stage, before returning to Africa for a 2014 African Nations Championship qualifying fixture against Cote d’Ivoire.

Usual suspects Vincent Enyeama, Mikel Obi, Efe Ambrose, Godfrey Oboabona, Ahmed Musa and Victor Moses are called, as well as dark horses John Ogu and Michael Babatunde.

 

But there is still no place for captain Joseph Yobo, who misses out on extending his record international appearances for Nigeria.

The delegation of 12 home-based players and technical/backroom staff will depart Abuja for the training camp in Nuremberg, Germany on May 15 while the overseas-based professionals are expected to join the team in Germany as their various Leagues come to an end.

Players in Russia, Ukraine and Norway may only join the team for the matches against Kenya and Namibia, and for the FIFA Confederations Cup tournament.

 

THE FULL SQUAD
Goalkeepers: Vincent Enyeama (Maccabi Tel Aviv, Israel); Austin Ejide (Hapoel Be’er Sheva, Israel); Chigozie Agbim (Enugu Rangers, Nigeria); Daniel Akpeyi (Heartland FC, Nigeria)

 

Defenders: Efe Ambrose (Celtic FC, Scotland); Elderson Echiejile (FC Braga, Portugal); Kenneth Omeruo (ADO Den Haag, The Netherlands); Azubuike Egwuekwe (Warri Wolves, Nigeria); Ebenezer Odunlami (Sunshine Stars, Nigeria); Benjamin Francis (Heartland FC, Nigeria); Solomon Kwambe (Sunshine Stars, Nigeria); Godfrey Oboabona (Sunshine Stars, Nigeria)

 

Midfielders: John Mikel Obi (Chelsea FC, England); Ogenyi Onazi (SS Lazio, Italy); Fegor Ogude (Valerenga FC, Norway); John Ogu (Academica de Coimbra, Portugal); Reuben Gabriel (Kano Pillars, Nigeria); Sunday Mba (Warri Wolves, Nigeria); Emeka Ezeh (Enugu Rangers, Nigeria)

 

Forwards: Ahmed Musa (CSKA Moscow, Russia); Brown Ideye (Dynamo Kyiv, Ukraine); Victor Moses (Chelsea FC, England); Emmanuel Emenike (Spartak Moscow, Russia); Michael Babatunde (Kryvbas Kryvyi Rih, Ukraine); Nnamdi Oduamadi (AS Varese 1910, Italy); Anthony Ujah (FC Cologne, Germany); Kalu Uche (Kasimpasa, Turkey); Gomo Onduku (Sharks FC, Nigeria); Obinna Nwachukwu (Heartland FC, Nigeria); Gambo Mohammed (Kano Pillars, Nigeria)

John Chibuike happy to be back

Rosenborg attacker John Chibuike was very happy to get back to action in Rosenborg’s 4-0 league win over Brann after spending the previous three weeks on the sidelines due to injury.

The former Enugu Rangers could not feature in Rosenborg opening league game, but made his comeback against Brann, coming off the bench in the 75th minute."I am happy because we won a tough match against Brann and because I am back playing. I've been waiting a long time and it's been a lot of days of hard work," said Chibuike

"But I have come back in good shape and I felt good. I can start rolling on from where I stopped last season. And I pray not to sustain any injury this season to fulfil my dreams of winning the league title. My injury last season costs us title lost because I missed some important game which I could have made an impact and everybody knows that and that is why they are happy for my return this time around.”

The attacking midfielder who can also play as front man then went on to discuss Rosenborg's ambitions for the season, and stressed that he must keep going with his best for the club and gets a national team call up.

"We have to play our best throughout the season and play for all of the titles to the end. We must continue along this line and keep winning matches and keep the confidence at every game.

"We are doing well right now and we need keep going like this."

“I have read sometimes ago when coach promise to give me a chance, well, I am still waiting to honour the call whenever it comes but for now, I am thinking on Rosenborg.

The Nye Lerkendal side currently leading the Norwegian table with six points in two matches, and Chibuike is most likely to return to the starting line-up this weekend when they visit Sogndal in their third league of the season.

Haruna: I have more to give Eagles

Dynamo Kiev midfielder Haruna Lukman says he have a lot to give Super Eagles whenever he’s recall to play for the team.

Young, creative, versatile and blessed with outstanding technique, Haruna is one of the poster boys of Nigeria's new style of football in 2007 when he led Golden Eaglets to victorious outing at FIFA U-17 World Cup in Korea.

The Dynamo Kiev midfielder has featured in all national team soccer groups and his last revelation was a chance to the 2010 World Cup where the team could not win a match before crashing out of the tournament and since then, Haruna’s chance in the senior team was limited even when his former boss Samson Siasia was appointed the coach, as he shut out the former Monaco star from his team.

The 22-year-old regularly demonstrates the ability that promises to make him a star on the global stage with Dynamo Kiev this season and has declares his readiness to honour the reporting call up.

Haruna believes that the way to return back to the national team is to give all for his club side as he’s already making wave in Ukraine this season.

"I always want to play for Nigeria, I appreciated every support given to me by the country right from U-17 to this level even though there was up and down but I am happy for my life today,” said Haruna.

"I think the best way to get a return to national team is to focus more on my club and give my best every week. I'm fighting to win my place back in Super Eagle right now, and nothing will change my mentality or the way I work - I will give everything every day, as I have throughout my career."

When he was asked if he felt disappointed for not been part of victory Super Eagles team in South Africa, he said: “To tell you the truth I didn’t have time to feel disappointed because i am still young for longer tournament for Nigeria. I always count myself lucky in the national team because I have tasted every stage but I think I have not enjoyed myself in terms of glory and consistency in the Super Eagles and that is why I will be back for glory.

“I’m happy because my form’s improving with Dynamo Kiev and because I’ve achieved my goal of getting back into the first team. The chance has come at a good time in my career and my personal life and I need to make the most of it now.

“I am a matured player, I have learnt a lot in this game over the recent time and I have the experience and the ability to anchor the midfield, I don’t have problem with that at all.”

“I made lots plans after my absence in the team and I wanted to come back stronger than before. On a personal level I'd like to do more - score more goals, get more assists and play more often and be part of another history in Nigeria.

 

 

Odibe targets Eagles return

Arsenal Kiev central defender Michael Odibe is hopeful of a sensational return to the Super Eagles team with his explosive form for Arsenal Kiev.

The 24-year-old has remained fans favourite in Kiev this season, features in all the matches and has been able to prove his consistent shirt at the defence line.

Odibe has only one cap for the Super Eagles of Nigeria during the tenure of Samson Siasia for the friendly game against Sierra Leone national football team in Lagos on 9 February 2011. He has been one of the most consistent missing players in the national team along with Kalu Uche who has been painting Turkey with goals.

“I understand there are lots of player on the queue who want to play for the national team and particularly for Keshi and I consider myself as one and I believe my current form and games for my club will  lead me back to the team,” Odibe revealed in an exclusive interview.

“I don’t have grudges for my non invitation to the team rather I supported the team for the wonderful AFCON glory jinx, I was really proud. I think the good thing for national team is for players to come from their various and lift their country which Keshi and the team have done beautifully to shock critics.”

“A lot of people have asked me the same question that why I am still missing in the National Team despite my consistent on the pitch for my club. Sometimes, you just have to see those things as challenge, that is the question of the coach and he must have his own reason of course but nevertheless I am still a proud Nigerian for all I care and I am very optimistic that one day I will be back to the team. I never write myself off the team, NO! I will be there at the right time again.

“I think the only way I can tell the coach to give me a call is in my club, yes, I am focusing on my club games so that I can be better than I was last week and I am so believe that my time will come to shine in the team.”

 “When you play consistently with other players, of course you must understand each other, and I think that is what has been keeping the defence line solid and as a matter of fact, I can always do better in the team not to rival anybody but to come and serve the country.”

After a barren spell following his loan move to at Dnipro Dniprotesk, Odibe has grow more in confidence to claim his starting shirt week in week out in the Ukrainian top league.

“When you play continuously on the pitch, you will feel better and get better for the next game provided you did well in the previous match and that is what has been keeping me going. I never look back because I know my worth, I know what I can do and I know when to improve on my game. So I'm feeling good.”

 

Ofem: Keshi is making life better for us

Sunshine Stars right back Ofem Inah has showers praises on Super Eagles head coach Stepehen Keshi over the consistent call up of Nigeria Premier League players to the national team for better exposure.

Without doubt, Keshi has remained the hero some of the local league players will never forget for their development in the national team under his tenure as chief coach of the Super Eagles of Nigeria. The likes of Sunday Mba, Godfrey Oboabona and Ejike Ezeonyi might have been in the Nigeria league for years but keshi has made the lads to be most sought after players following their breakthrough at the 2013 Nations Cup in South Africa.

 

Ofem has been an inspirational player like Godfrey Oboabona before injury knocked him out last season. But now he’s ready to make up the lost time and vows to take a big step like Oboabona as national team player this season.

“Keshi has make life more better for some of us who have benefitted,” said Ofem.

“I think most of the league players will never forget him for what he has done in the recent time. He’s giving us value unlike before and I wish he could continue like that for more success.”

“I have been saying it over and over that we have good players in the league but most coaches fear due to the development of the league and I think Keshi’s impact will improve our league this season because every player want to be in the national team. I am also aiming to be there, I was closer last year but injury knocked me out but I am back to my best.”

The Dream Team V star has tipped Sunshine Stars for the league title and he will be ready to give it all for a place in the Super Eagles.

“We are doing great at the moment. And we want to keep improving in every game so that we can win the league. My target is to help sunshine win the league title and get a national team call up,” he noted.

 

 

‘Ecstatic’ Michael eyes Eagles consistency

Babatunde Michael (m)

Super Eagles new-boy Babatunde Michael says playing consistently in the Super Eagles team will bring out the best of him and also salutes Stephen Keshi over the surprise call up.

 

The 20 year-old winger could not make his dream debut for Eagles against Kenya last week when Kenya almost dent Nigeria’s hope of qualifying to 2014 World Cup in Brazil, thanks to Nnamdi Oduamadi late equalizer to put Keshi’s team in a driving seat.

Questions have risen by the Nigeria Football Federation over the invitation of Babatunde Michael who has once played for Heartland of Owerri before storming Europe but the talented star who has been dubbed as Africa Messi said he will do the talking on the pitch when the chance comes.

 

“I want to be in the team for as long as I can, it was a sweet memory meeting my senior colleagues at the camp. I have great respect for everybody even though we are all professionals but in life respect is a reciprocal. They made me feel at home,” Michael explained his Super Eagles experience.

“I am focusing on my club, to do better and get a recall to the national team and I am aiming to prove why Keshi invited me, I will be glad to do that for Nigerians.

“I am so grateful to what the coach has done for me and I wish to pay him back with good performance on my debut.”

The former Heartland of Owerri star is confident of claiming the maximum point when his club tackle Illichivets in the Ukrainian Premier league on Saturday.

“We are looking forward to finish the season on a high note, we are currently doing well and it is possible for us to make top five at the end of the season.

“It’s going to be a tough match for both teams but I think with our current form we can make some points.”