Nigeria drops Martins, Odemwingie
by Emeka Enyadike 21 December 2012, 23:14
Nigeria head coach, Stephen Keshi has left Obafemi Martins and Peter Osaze Odemwingie from his provisional squad for the 2013 Afcon.
Martins and Odemwingie are among a long list of high-profile names excluded from a 32-man provisional Africa Cup of Nation team.
Other big names missing are Kalu Uche, Taye Taiwo, Yakubu Aiyegbeni and Joel Obi, who recently recovered from an injury.
But the biggest surprising in the squad is Celtic playmaker, Rabiu Ibrahim who gets his first call under the Nigerian manager.
Defenders Danny Shittu and Kenneth Omeruo are named in the provisional list as Keshi looks keen to solve his team's defensive frailties ahead of the Afcon in South Africa.
Keshi surprisingly announced the provisional list of 14 players from the Nigeria Premier League (NPL) and 18 overseas players on Friday instead of Christmas Day as earlier reported.
The 32-man list was made available after Keshi met with the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) Technical Committee in Abuja on Friday.
Squad:
Goalkeepers: Vincent Enyeama (Maccabi Tel Aviv, Israel); Austin Ejide
(Hapoel Be’er Sheba, Israel); Chigozie Agbim (Enugu Rangers, Nigeria);
Daniel Akpeyi (Heartland FC, Nigeria)
Defenders: Elderson Echiejile (FC Braga, Portugal); Juwon Oshaniwa
(Ashdod FC, Israel); Benjamin Francis (Heartland FC, Nigeria); Joseph
Yobo (Fenerbahce, Turkey); Efe Ambrose (Celtic FC, Scotland); Solomon Kwambe (Sunshine Stars, Nigeria); Azubuike Egwuekwe (Warri Wolves, Nigeria); Danny Shittu (Millwall FC, England); Kenneth Omeruo (ADO Den Haag, Netherlands); Godfrey Oboabona (Sunshine Stars, Nigeria)
Midfielders: John Obi Mikel (Chelsea FC, England); Nosa Igiebor (Real Betis, Spain); Ogenyi Onazi (SS Lazio, Italy); Raheem Lawal (Adana Demirspor, Turkey); Obiora Nwankwo (Calcio Padova, Italy); Fegor Ogude (Valerenga FC, Norway); Reuben Gabriel (Kano Pillars, Nigeria); Rabiu
Ibrahim (Celtic FC, Scotland)
Forwards: Ahmed Musa (CSKA Moscow, Russia); Emmanuel Emenike (Spartak Moscow, Russia); Brown Ideye (Dynamo Kyiv, Ukraine); Victor Moses (Chelsea FC, England); Uche Kalu (Rizespor, Turkey); Bright Dike
(Portland Timbers, USA); Shola Ameobi (Newcastle FC, England);
Ikechukwu Uche (Villarreal FC, Spain); Ejike Uzoenyi (Enugu Rangers, Nigeria); Sunday Mba (Enugu Rangers, Nigeria)
