Keshi begins preparations for Abidjan clash with 24 players

Keshi

The home-based Super Eagles are expected to resume camp on July 15 ahead of the important clash against the Elephants at the Stade Felix Houphouet-Boigny

Nigeria coach Stephen Keshi has called 24 players to camp for the return leg of their 2014 African Nations Championship (CHAN) final qualifying game against Cote d’Ivoire, in Abidjan on July 27. The Super Eagles lead 4-1 from the first leg last weekend.


All the players are expected to report in Abuja on Monday, 15th July. Only 20 players will make the trip on July 24.

Keshi has invited four new players, including one defender, one midfielder and two strikers, in line with a pledge to inject a few new faces following last Saturday’s opening leg win at the Ahmadu Bello Stadium, Kaduna.

The new faces are Kwara United defender Ganiyu Ogungbe, Kano Pillars midfielder Rabiu Mohammed, and strikers Abdullahi Gero of Enugu Rangers and Osadinye Joseph of Warri Wolves.
Two-goal hero Sunday Mba tops the list that also includes goalkeeper and skipper Chigozie Agbim, defenders Godfrey Oboabona, Azubuike Egwuekwe and Chibuzor Okonkwo, as well as midfielders Olufemi Oladapo and Ayo Saka, and forwards Muhammad Gambo, Ifeanyi Edeh and Dele Olorundare.
Having never qualified for the African Nations Championship – the flagship tournament for players plying their trade in their country’s domestic League in the continent – Nigeria has a firm leg in next year’s finals in South Africa, and Keshi has promised there would be no room for the Ivorians to attempt a spectacular come-back in the return leg at the Stade Felix Houphouet-Boigny.

GOALKEEPERS
 Chigozie Agbim (Enugu Rangers FC); Daniel Akpeyi (Heartland FC)

DEFENDERS
 Azubuike Egwuekwe (Warri Wolves FC); Godfrey Oboabona (Sunshine Stars FC); Ganiyu Ogungbe (Kwara United FC); Kwambe Solomon (Sunshine Stars FC); Chibuzor Okonkwo (Enugu Rangers FC); Kunle Odunlami (Sunshine Stars FC); Benjamin Francis (Heartland FC); Ezekiel Bassey (Lobi Stars FC)

MIDFIELDERS
 Sunday Mba (Enugu Rangers FC); Rabiu Mohammed (Kano Pillars FC); Olufemi Oladapo (Shooting Stars FC); Ayo Saka (Enyimba FC); Mohammed Jiya (Bayelsa United FC)

STRIKERS
 Mohammed Gambo (Kano Pillars); Gomo Onduku (Bayelsa United FC); Ifeanyi Edeh (Enyimba FC); Ezekiel Mbah (Akwa United FC); Abdullahi Gero (Enugu Rangers FC); Osadinye Joseph (Warri Wolves FC); Haruna Babalo (El-Kanemi Warriors FC); Etebo Oghene (Warri Wolves FC); Dele Olorundare (Sunshine Stars FC)
Source: Goal.com