Super Eagles chief coach, Stephen Keshi, yesterday recalled Newcastle of England star striker, Shola Ameobi to the Eagles in readiness for the 2013 Nelson Mandela Challenge which has been scheduled for South Africa on August 14.
Another player that would be making a triumphant return to the national team is 2013 Nations Cup hero Emmanuel Emenike who has regained full fitness after he featured in a league game as substitute at the weekend.
Obinna Nsofor and Victor Moses are also back while team’s assistant captain Vincent Enyeama omitted from the list of invited players.
The annual Mandela Challenge contest at the Moses Mabhida Stadium is in honour of ailing former South African President, Nelson Mandela, one of the world’s greatest statesmen.
Russia-based Emmanuel Emenike, top scorer at the 29th Africa Cup of Nations that Nigeria won in South Africa earlier in the year, returns to the squad for the first time since that feat, and there is also room for Newcastle United FC’s Shola Ameobi, who recently again made himself available for Nigeria.
Nimble-footed Chelsea FC ace Victor Moses is also back and while goalkeeper and skipper Vincent Enyeama is left out, sharp-shooting Obinna Nsofor returns after nearly two years in the international wilderness.
Former junior international forward Uche Nwofor, of VVV Venlo in the Netherlands, is a surprise invitee in a list dominated by the squad that represented Nigeria at last month’s Fifa Confederations Cup tournament in Brazil.
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).
