Mba leads Super Eagles home-based players for Kenya tie
Super Eagles African cup of Nations hero Sunday Mba has been included in Nigeria’s 24-man squad for their 2014 World cup qualifier against Kenya’s Harambee Stars on March 23 in Calabar.
Stephen Keshi named his squad on Wednesday in Abuja that will begin training this weekend in the administrative capital, before they relocate to Calabar where they will be joined by the foreign based players a week before the match.
Besides Mba, who scored the winning goal in the African nations final against Burkina Faso the team includes Chigozie Agbim, Godfrey Oboabona from Sunshine Stars, Gabriel Reuben, Papa Idris and goalkeeper Daniel Akpeyi all who were part of the Eagles squad in South Africa.
Mba is still embroiled in an ownership battle with Warri Wolves the Nigerian club he last played for prior to the African Cup of Nations before reportedly signing for Enugu Rangers FC.
The Nigerian Football Association is yet to resolve the standoff. Youngster Dele Ajiboye, a former U-17 and U-23 star is the surprise inclusion in the provisional squad.
Keshi is expected to name the foreign-based players next week with Spartak Moscow striker Emmanuel Emenike who missed the final in South Africa expected to be fit for the qualifier that will be played in the coastal south eastern port city.
According to the Vanguard, Inter Milan ace Joel Obi who has been nursing a long-term muscle injury and Shola Ameobi who was unavailable for selection for South Africa due to contractual obligations at New Castle are likely to be named for the qualifier against the Adel Amrouche coached Stars.
This post was written by
A native of Gasabo, Gilbert is an alumnus of the National University of Rwanda (Faculty of Arts,Media and Social Sciences) and has 8 valuable years of experience as a freelance sports columnist for various magazines in Rwanda & Africa. Before joining as Chief Editor of Umupira, he was the Assistant Coach of an U-14 school football team in Kigali. An expert in interpreting and organizing premium sports content, he has revolutionized Umupira, making it the foremost authority on sports in Rwanda.
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