Unconfirmed reports from Philadelphia
have told us that Stephen Keshi's 23-man list for the 2014 FIFA World
Cup that is to be released shows that Keshi might have dropped Joseph
Yobo from the squad that will represent Nigeria at the 2014 World Cup in
Brazil.
Though the camp source told us that Joseph Yobo; the Super Eagles substantive captain for close to five years may has finally been included in the party to Brazil though it took serious wrangling between the coach and the Nigeria Football Federation.
After the friendly match against Scotland last Wednesday, a game in which Yobo played but made some glaring defensive mistakes – it was thought that Yobo would not be getting his 100th cap at the World Cup but with the release of the list, Nigeria may soon have her own centurion on the football field.
And before he finally dropped the seven players on Monday, Keshi had said: “These players have all convinced me of their abilities but they are also confusing me on who to drop or not to drop.
“It’s a difficult decision to make regarding the naming of the final 23 players, but we have no choice but to do it, otherwise we will be failing in our duties.
“The players have been so committed, so professional that you feel like shedding a tear because some of them must just go home,” Keshi added.
But some just had to go home and the decision has now been made.
The final 23
Goalkeepers: Vincent Enyeama, Austin Ejide, Chigozie Agbim
Defenders: Kenneth Omeruo, Godfrey Oboabona, Joseph Yobo, Elderson Echiejile, Efe Ambrose, Azubuike Egwuekwe, Juwon Oshaniwa, Kunle Odunlami
Midfielders: Mikel Obi, Ogenyi Onazi, Ramon Azeez, Nosa Igiebor, Babatunde Michael, Ejike Uzoenyi, Joel Obi, Reuben Gabriel
Forwards: Emmanuel Emenike, Shola Ameobi, Nnamdi Oduamadi, Victor Moses, Uche Nwofor, Osaze Odemwingie.
Though the camp source told us that Joseph Yobo; the Super Eagles substantive captain for close to five years may has finally been included in the party to Brazil though it took serious wrangling between the coach and the Nigeria Football Federation.
After the friendly match against Scotland last Wednesday, a game in which Yobo played but made some glaring defensive mistakes – it was thought that Yobo would not be getting his 100th cap at the World Cup but with the release of the list, Nigeria may soon have her own centurion on the football field.
And before he finally dropped the seven players on Monday, Keshi had said: “These players have all convinced me of their abilities but they are also confusing me on who to drop or not to drop.
“It’s a difficult decision to make regarding the naming of the final 23 players, but we have no choice but to do it, otherwise we will be failing in our duties.
“The players have been so committed, so professional that you feel like shedding a tear because some of them must just go home,” Keshi added.
But some just had to go home and the decision has now been made.
The final 23
Goalkeepers: Vincent Enyeama, Austin Ejide, Chigozie Agbim
Defenders: Kenneth Omeruo, Godfrey Oboabona, Joseph Yobo, Elderson Echiejile, Efe Ambrose, Azubuike Egwuekwe, Juwon Oshaniwa, Kunle Odunlami
Midfielders: Mikel Obi, Ogenyi Onazi, Ramon Azeez, Nosa Igiebor, Babatunde Michael, Ejike Uzoenyi, Joel Obi, Reuben Gabriel
Forwards: Emmanuel Emenike, Shola Ameobi, Nnamdi Oduamadi, Victor Moses, Uche Nwofor, Osaze Odemwingie.