Tuesday, 3 June 2014

Nigeria Finalizes 2014 World Cup Squad

The Super Eagles of Nigeria have their team of 23 picked for Brazil 2014 after head coach Stephen Okechukwu Keshi named the country's final squad on Monday.
In one of the crucial decisions Keshi has had to make since his tenure started with the team, the former Togo and Mali national team coach cut seven players from his preliminary squad.

Although there were a couple of notable players amongst those he left off the final team, there were no major surprises amongst the players appointed to the squad.

Amongst those cut are Obinna Nsofor and Nosa Igiebor. Also dropped by Keshi are Joel Chukwuma Obi, Sunday Mba, Ejike Uzoenyi and Nnamdi Oduamadi.

John Obi Mikel makes the final roster. He will be a key figure in a Nigerian midfield that also features Ramon Azeez of Almería, as well SS Lazio's Ogenyi Onazi. Rounding out the midfield are Reuben Gabriel, Michael Babatunde and Michael Uchebo.

Nigeria has a wealth of talent at forward, including the likes of Peter Odemwingie, Emmanuel Emenike, Shola Ameobi and Uche Nwofor. The Big Boss also selected Victor Moses and Ahmed Musa.

In defense, Keshi's most notable names are Joseph Yobo and Efe Ambrose. Those two will be joined by Kenneth Omeruo, Godfrey Oboabona, Elderson Uwa Echiejile, Juwon Oshaniwa, Azubuike Egwuekwe and Kunle Odunlami.

Vincent Enyeama is the incumbent number one in goal. The Lille custodian is joined by Austin Ejide and Chigozie Agbim.

Nigeria is in Group F in Brazil, where they compete against Argentina, Bosnia & Herzegovina and Iran. They will face Iran in their first Group F game in Curitiba on June 16 followed by Bosnia & Herzegovina and Argentina.

The Nigerian team are currently camping in Philadelphia, USA where they would play Greece on Tuesday and the American national team on Saturday before they depart to Brazil.

The Super Eagles play out a 2-2 draw against Scotland in the last friendly match played in London, England last Tuesday

Final Roster:

Goalkeepers: Vincent Enyeama (Lille, France), Austin Ejide (Hapoel Beer Sheva, Israel), Chigozie Agbim (Gombe United, Nigeria)

Defenders: Kenneth Omeruo (Chelsea, England), Godfrey Oboabona (Rizespor, Turkey), Joseph Yobo (Norwich City, England), Elderson Uwa Echiejile (AS Monaco, France), Efe Ambrose (Celtic Glasgow, Scotland), Azubuike Egwuekwe (Warri Wolves, Nigeria), Juwon Oshaniwa (Ashdod SC, Israel), Kunle Odunlami (Sunshine Stars, Nigeria)

Midfielders: John Obi Mikel (Chelsea, England), Ogenyi Onazi (SS Lazio, Italy), Ramon Azeez (Almeria, Spain), Michael Uchebo (Cercle Brugges, Belgium), Babatunde Michael (Volyn Lutsk, Ukraine), Reuben Gabriel (Waasland Beveren, Belgium)

Strikers: Emmanuel Emenike (Fenerbahce, Turkey), Shola Ameobi (Newcastle United, England), Victor Moses (Chelsea, England), Uche Nwofor (Hereenveen, Netherlands), Peter Odemwingie (Stoke City, England), Ahmed Musa (CSKA Moscow, Russia)

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