Mba leads 23 others against Kenya
MARCH 8, 2013
Warri Wolves striker Sunday Mba
Africa Cup of Nations hero Sunday Mba is heading a list of 24 home-based professional players called up for the World Cup qualifier against the Harambee Stars of Kenya. The match is scheduled for March 23 in Calabar, Cross River State.
Expectedly, another Nations Cup star and Sunshine Stars skipper Godfrey Oboabona is on the list with Shooting Stars of Ibadan goalkeeper, Dele Ajiboye, being the major surprise invitee for the clash. Ajiboye, who started with the national U-17 team, later played in the Flying Eagles and U-23 teams.
Also on the 24-man list is Eagles home-based skipper and keeper Chigozie Agbim, Gabriel Reuben, Papa Idris and goalkeeper Daniel Akpeyi.
Coach Stephen Keshi is expected to meet with the Technical Committee of the Nigeria Football Federation on Wednesday to discuss the foreign-based players being selected for the match.
A member of the committee confirmed to The PUNCH on Monday that the meeting would hold as planned before the full list is released on Thursday.
Newcastle’s Shola Ameobi and Inter Milan midfielder Joel Obi are some of the players likely to make the squad for the 2014 World Cup qualifying match. A clear picture is yet to be established as it concerns the likes of Obafemi Martins and Kalu Uche.
The home-based professionals are expected in Abuja from March 10, from where they will be joined by foreign-based players next week for the trip to Calabar.
And while the NFF members are meeting with Keshi, Mba is also expected to meet with an NFF committee to settle the controversy over which of the Nigerian clubs he belongs. Since he scored his first goal in South Africa, Warri Wolves and Enugu Rangers have laid claims to him. He will meet the committee with the officials of the two clubs and those of Enyimba.
Full List:
Goalkeepers: Agbim Chigozie (Rangers), Akpeyi Daniel (Heartland), Ajiboye Dele (3SC)
Defenders: Egwueke Azubuike (Warri Wolves), Papa Idris (Kano Pillars), Zango Umar (Kano Pillars), Oboabona Godfrey (Sunshine Stars) Kwambe Solomon (Sunshine Stars), Chibuzo Okonkwo (Rangers), Ezekiel Bassey (Lobi Stars), Benjamin Francis (Heartland), Zubaru Muhammed (Tornadoes).
Midfielders and Forwards: Mba Sunday (Nigeria), Gabriel Reuben (Kano Pillars), Gambo Mohammed (Kano Pillars), Ubale Mannir (Kano Pillars), Pius Samson (Ranchers Bees), Ohanduku Gomo (Sharks), Obinna Nwachukwu (Heartland), Saka Ayo (Enyimba), Jiya Muhammed (Bayelsa), Emeka Ezeh (Rangers), Anthony Okputu (Lobi Stars), Adepoju Taofeek (3SC).
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