World Cup: Odemwingie, Yobo, Odunlami, Agbim make the list
Adetokunbo Fakeye
Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) ahead of FIFA’s May 10 deadline for the submission of final list of players selected to represent participating countries at next month’s World Cup in Brazil, on Tuesday released a provisional list of 30 Super Eagles players for the mundial.
The list comprised of four goalkeepers. They are Vincent Enyeama, Austin Ejide, Chigozie Agbim and Daniel Akpeyi.
The team’s defenders selected for the mundial are Elderson Echiejile, Juwon Oshaniwa, Efe Ambrose, Godfrey Oboabona, Azubuike Egwuekwe, Kenneth Omeruo, Joseph Yobo, Kunle Odunlami, Osaze, Agbim and Joseph Yobo.
Also in the team as released are: John Mikel Obi, Ogenyi Onazi, Ramon Azeez, Ejike Uzoenyi Sunday Mba, Gabriel Reuben, Nosa Igiebor, Joel Obi and Michael Uchebo. Others are Ahmed Musa, Shola Ameobi, Victor Moses, Emmanuel Emenike, Victor Nsofor, Osaze Odemwingie , Babatunde Michael,Uche Nwafor and Nnamdi Oduamadi.
The list which was read out by the Head Coach of the team Stephen Keshi was released after he held a three-hour meeting with the NFF Technical Committee at the Glass House in Abuja.
He stated that the final list of 23 players who would represent the nation in Brazil would be released on June 2.
Keshi revealed at the presentation of the team list that he had a free hand from the NFF to select the best players for the World Cup, adding, however, he was not aversed to taking advice from well-meaning Nigerians on squad composition.
“The NFF is our parent body and should be concerned about team composition for the World Cup, because the body is made up of well-meaning Nigerians. But to be honest to Nigerians, nobody in the NFF has come to me to say pick player A or B. They respect my job as the head coach and I respect them as my employers and there is no clash of interest.” He said.