Keshi names Brazil 2014 30-man list, drops Mikel and Moses !!!!

By Unknown

Tuesday, 1 April 2014

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Super Eagles’ chief coach Stephen Keshi early this morning dropped the bomb-shell after he released a 30-man list as the Super Eagles begin preparations for the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil in June this year.

Millions of soccer loving Nigerians however will be shocked to know that two of our most influential/key players have been dropped for the mundial. It can be recalled that Both Victor Moses and Mikel Obi played a huge and significant role in the 2013 African Nations Cup triumph. However former captain Joseph Yobo and Osaze Odemwingie are back in Keshi's plan for the world cup.


In a statement signed by the Assistant Director (Media) of the Nigeria Football Association (NFA), Ademola Olajire, released this morning, he said the 30 players are expected to report to the US based camp in May, where 23 players would eventually be selected for the World cup.

However, Mr Keshi tried to put fans’ minds at ease, defending his 30-man list:

"When i dropped Odemwingie, Martins, I.k Uche, Yobo and other big boys in previous competitions and qualifiers, the media said this man has started again, how can he drop our best players, he will fail"

He continiued... "But guess what, we won the African nations cup with the players i selected after so many years, we qualified for the world cup, and won the bronze in CHAN..that is no fluke"

He also explained his reasons for dropping Mikel Obi and Victor Moses

While Mikel has lost his starting place since the arrival of Nemanja Matic at Stamford Bridge, Moses has not been able to convince coach Brendan Rodgers to start him ahead of Englishman Raheem Sterling who has formed a formidable partnership with Luis Suarez and Daniel sturridge)

"Mikel and Moses are my boys, they are fantastic players, but are they getting regular playing time at their clubs? Sterling, Luis (suarez) and the other English boy (Daniel Sturridge) have pushed Moses to the side."

He also stated that the recent acquisition of Matic and the return of Jose Mourinho
limited Mikel's playing time too

"Since Jose returned i have watched many times Mikel come from the bench or not play at all"

"Look at Juan Mata, he left Chelsea to join Manchester United, because of the world cup.
He knew he was not getting playing time at Chelsea and the world cup was around the corner"

'I have always said that only active players will be selected, and we have so many good players scattered all over the globe, the players i picked are not kids. It's just the chemistry that I need to bring into the team, the unity, the understanding.' The big boss stated.

Five players from the local league also made the 30-man squad.

They are Chigozie Agbim, Francis Benjamin, Solomon Kwambe, Azubuike Egwuekwe and CHAN revelation,Ejike Uzoenyi


The list has three goalkeepers, Nine defenders, Nine midfielders and Nine strikers.

The team’s stand-in skipper, Vincent Enyeama, was invited alongside goalkeepers Austin Ejide and Chigozie Agbim.

The full list has goalkeepers Enyeama (Lille FC, France), Ejide (Hapoel Be’er Sheva, Israel) and Agbim (Rangers International).

It also has defenders Elderson Echiejile (Sporting Braga, Portugal) Benjamin Francis (Heartland FC), Efe Ambrose (Celtic FC, Scotland), Solomon Kwambe (Sunshine Stars) and Godfrey Oboabona (Rizespor FC, Turkey), Joseph Yobo (Norwich)

The other defenders invited to camp are Azubuike Egwuekwe (Warri Wolves), Leon Balogun (Fortuna Düsseldorf) James Okwuosa (Chippa United, South Africa)

The midfielders include: John Ogu (Academica de Coimbra, Portugal) Ogenyi Onazi (SS Lazio, Italy). Haruna Lukman (Dynnamo Kyiv) Ramon Azeez (Almeria, Spain) The rest midfielders are Nnamdi Oduamadi (Brescia Calcio 1911, Italy), Nosa Igiebor (Real Betis, Spain), Sunday Mba (CA Bastia, France) Reuben Gabriel (Waasland-Beveren, Belgium) and Raheem Lawal (Eskişehirspor, Turkey)

The strikers include Osaze Odemwingie (Stoke City) Ahmed Musa (CSKA Moscow, Russia), Brown Ideye (Dynamo Kyiv, Ukraine), Shola Ameobi (Newcastle United, England) and Emmanuel Emenike (Fenerbahce FC, Turkey),

The other strikers are Sone Aluko (Hull City, England) Obinna Nsofor (Lokomotiv Moscow, Russia), Uche Nwofor (SC Heerenveen, The Netherlands) and Ejike Uzoenyi (Mamelodi Sundowns)





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