NEWS EXPRESS is Nigeria’s leading online newspaper. Published by Africa’s international award-winning journalist, Mr. Isaac Umunna, NEWS EXPRESS is Nigeria’s first truly professional online daily newspaper. It is published from Lagos, Nigeria’s economic and media hub, and has a provision for occasional special print editions. Thanks to our vast network of sources and dedicated team of professional journalists and contributors spread across Nigeria and overseas, NEWS EXPRESS has become synonymous with newsbreaks and exclusive stories from around the world.
Manager of Nigeria’s Super Eagles, Stephen Keshi, has released the list of 32 players from which he will pencil down the final 23 for the 29th Africa Cup of Nations staring January 19 in South Africa.
The list unveiled through Ademola Olajire, Assistant Director (Media), Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), parades local and foreign-based pros, including veteran defender Joseph Yobo (seen in photo). Yobo, who also skippers the team, represented Nigeria at the 2002, 2004, 2006, 2008 and 2010 Africa Cup of Nations finals, and is the country’s record international player with 89 caps, tops the list.
The list was made public following today’s meeting with the NFF Technical Committee in Abuja, where Keshi defended the list of 14 home-based professionals and 18 overseas-based players.
Africa’s football-governing body, CAF, has given all 16 teams playing for the tournament until midnight of January 9 to submit their final list of 23 players for the showpiece.
THE FULL LIST OF PLAYERS:
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: Mikel Obi (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).