2014 World Cup Qualifier: Keshi calls Enyeama, Mikel Obi, 21 others for Ethiopia

Nigeria’s Head Coach, Stephen Keshi has named a list of 23 players to battle for shirts ahead of the first leg of the 2014 FIFA World Cup final elimination fixture against Ethiopia’s Walya Antelopes in Addis Ababa.

The African champions take on the Antelopes inside the National Stadium, Addis Ababa on Saturday, 12th October, 2013. Both teams will clash in the return match at the U. J. Esuene Stadium, Calabar on Saturday, 16th November.

Headlining the list are stand-in skipper Vincent Enyeama, England-based midfielders Mikel Obi and Victor Moses, and forwards Brown Ideye and Emmanuel Emenike.

Keshi has called three goalkeepers, seven defenders, seven midfielders and six strikers as the Eagles aim for a win in Addis Ababa to make the second leg in Calabar a much easier session.

Home-boys Chigozie Agbim, Francis Benjamin, Solomon Kwambe, Azubuike Egwuekwe and Sunday Mba return to high-level furnace as part of their build-up to the 2014 African Nations Championship in South Africa.

The Nigeria Football Federation is making arrangements to have the full squad train for four days in Abuja before the departure to Addis Ababa on the eve of the game.

THE FULL LIST

Goalkeepers:
Vincent Enyeama (Lille FC, France); Austin Ejide (Hapoel Be’er Sheva, Israel); Chigozie Agbim (Enugu Rangers, Nigeria)

Defenders:
Elderson Echiejile (Sporting Braga, Portugal); Francis Benjamin (Heartland FC, Nigeria); Efe Ambrose (Celtic FC, Scotland); Solomon Kwambe (Sunshine Stars, Nigeria); Godfrey Oboabona (Rizespor FC, Turkey); Azubuike Egwuekwe (Warri Wolves, Nigeria); James Okwuosa (Chippa United, South Africa)

Midfielders:
John Mikel Obi (Chelsea FC, England); John Ogu (Academica de Coimbra, Portugal); Ogenyi Onazi (SS Lazio, Italy); Nosa Igiebor (Real Betis, Spain); Victor Moses (Chelsea FC, England); Sunday Mba (Enugu Rangers, Nigeria); Nnamdi Oduamadi (AC Milan, Italy)

Forwards:
Ahmed Musa (CSKA Moscow, Russia); Brown Ideye (Dynamo Kyiv, Ukraine); Shola Ameobi (Newcastle United, England); Emmanuel Emenike (Fenerbahce FC, Turkey); Obinna Nsofor (Lokomotiv Moscow, Russia); Uche Nwofor (SC Heerenveen, Netherlands)