Keshi calls up Emenike, Moses, for Mandela

Photo credit: Connectnigeria.com

Super Eagles Head Coach, Stephen Keshi, has recalled Emmanuel Emenike to the national team ahead of next month’s Mandela Challenge contest against South Africa’s Bafana Bafana.

Also making a return to the national side for the first time since the Cup of Nations is Chelsea FC ace Victor Moses, as well as sharp-shooting Obinna Nsofor, who makes a return to the side after nearly two years in the international wilderness.

Photo credit: AP

Emenike made a return to competitive football on Tuesday evening, featuring for his side Spartak Moscow in their 2-1 away win over Krylya Sevetov.

The striker got injured at the Cup of Nations and was out for close to four months recuperating from the hamstring injury.

The 25-year-old however suffered a relapse of the injury in April in Spartak’s encounter against Anzhi Makhachkala minutes after coming into the fray as a 54th minute substitute.

He went on to miss a further two months and didn’t feature for the Super Eagles in the FIFA Confederations Cup, as well as the World Cup qualifiers against Kenya and Namibia.

But Emenike, who finished as top scorer at the Cup of Nations, has now been recalled to the side by Keshi, along with 19 other players ahead of the high-profile international friendly against the South Africans in Durban on August 14.

The annual Mandela Challenge contest at the Moses Mabhida Stadium is in honour of ailing former South African President, Dr. Nelson Mandela, one of the world’s greatest statesmen.

Also handed a recall to the national team is Newcastle United striker Shola Ameobi, who recently made himself available for selection after missing out on the last Africa Cup of Nations tournament in South Africa.

However left out of the side this time around is goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama. His place is set to be taken by one of the duo of Austin Ejide or Chigozie Agbim.

Coach Keshi has placed three home boys - defenders Benjamin Francis and Solomon Kwambe and striker Muhammad Gambo - and little known Norway-based Samuel Aaron on standby.

THE FULL LIST

GOALKEEPERS: Austin Ejide (Hapoel Be’er Sheva, Israel); Chigozie Agbim (Enugu Rangers, Nigeria)

DEFENDERS: Kenneth Omeruo (Chelsea FC, England); Efe Ambrose (Celtic FC, Scotland); Godfrey Oboabona (Sunshine Stars, Nigeria); Azubuike Egwuekwe (Warri Wolves, Nigeria); Elderson Echiejile (Sporting Braga, Portugal)

MIDFIELDERS: Mikel Obi (Chelsea FC, England); Fegor Ogude (Valerenga FC, Norway); Victor Moses (Chelsea FC, England); John Ogu (Academica de Coimbra, Portugal); Ogenyi Onazi (SS Lazio, Italy); Nnamdi Oduamadi (AC Milan, Italy); Sunday Mba (Enugu Rangers, Nigeria).

FORWARDS: Ahmed Musa (CSKA Moscow, Russia); Brown Ideye (Dynamo Kyiv, Ukraine); Shola Ameobi (Newcastle United, England); Emmanuel Emenike (Spartak Moscow, Russia); Obinna Nsofor (Lokomotiv Moscow, Russia); Uche Nwofor (VVV Venlo, Netherlands)

STANDBY

Solomon Kwambe (Sunshine Stars, Nigeria); Benjamin Francis (Heartland FC, Nigeria); Muhammad Gambo (Kano Pillars, Nigeria); Samuel Aaron (Sarpsborg ‘08 , Norway)