Nigeria’s coach, Stephen Keshi, is actively preparing for the final match of the 2014 World Cup qualifiers against Malawi. He unveiled two preselections of players, including those playing in the local championship and abroad, as part of the squad-building process.
Some notable inclusions are the return of goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama, who was rested for the Nelson Mandela Challenge against South Africa, and Uche Nwofor, who scored twice in the same match. Real Betis defender Nosa Igiebor, who had an impressive performance in the opening of La Liga, is also included.
Out of the 24 players from the Nigerian Professional Football League (NPPL), only 5 will be added to the 18 expatriates. Nigeria, with 9 points, needs to avoid defeat against Malawi to reach the play-offs of the qualifiers.
The local preselection includes players from the NPPL, while the European preselection comprises players based abroad:
Local Preselection:
- Goalkeepers: Chigozie Agbim (Enugu Rangers), Daniel Akpeyi (Heartland FC)
- Defenders: Azubuike Egwuekwe, Godfrey Oboabona, Solomon Kwambe, Umar Zango, Benjamin Francis, Kunle Odunlami, Chibuzor Okonkwo, Yinka Adedeji, Ganiyu Ogungbe
- Midfielders: Sunday Mba, Solomon Jabason, Olufemi Oladapo, Etebo Oghene, Rabiu Ali, Moses Orkuma
- Forwards: Muhammad Gambo, Ifeanyi Edeh, Mbah Ezekiel, Barnabas Imenger, Izu Azuka, Dimgba Stanley, Osadaiye Joseph
European Preselection:
- Goalkeepers: Vincent Enyeama (Lille FC, France), Austin Ejide (Hapoel Be’er Sheva, Israel)
- Defenders: Elderson Echiejile (Sporting Braga, Portugal), Efe Ambrose (Celtic FC, Scotland), James Okwuosa (Chippa United, South Africa)
- Midfielders: John Mikel Obi (Chelsea FC, England), Fegor Ogude (Valerenga FC, Norway), John Ogu (Academica de Coimbra, Portugal), Victor Moses (Chelsea FC, England), Ogenyi Onazi (SS Lazio, Italy), Nnamdi Oduamadi (AC Milan, Italy), Nosa Igiebor (Real Betis, Spain)
- 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 (VVV Venlo, Netherlands)
