Nigeria national team coach, Stephen Keshi has admitted that he is facing a dilemma in selecting his provisional list of players for the Nations Cup. Already, 22 home based players are in the Abuja camp preparing for the championship, while the list of 17 foreign based professionals that will join the team camp in Faro, Portugal is expected to be made public next week.
Answering questions from newsmen yesterday in Abuja at the weekly media parley, he said the prolific form of several Nigerian players playing in abroad is already giving him concern over who to invite or not. He said the players in camp are already working hard to meet his demand. “Maybe by next week the list will be out. I am happy that our players are doing well in their clubs and already giving me a lot of concern over who to include in the list or not,” he stated.
He said only those who are committed, fit and ready to play for the country will make his provisional list of 27 players to the Faro camp from where he will draw a 23-man squad for the biannual African soccer showpiece in South Africa.? “We are trying to put the list together but at as now I can’t tell you who will be in the list or not. One I am sure is that only those who are fully fit and committed and they are ready to play for their fatherland will make the list.”
Though, the former Hawks of Togo and Eagles of Mali failed to give insight as to who will make the list or not, but LEADERSHIP Sports scoop revealed that the likes of US-based forward Bright Dike, Russia-based strikers Ahmed Musa, Obafemi Martins, Ike Uche, Shola Ameobi, Chelsea duo Victor Moses and John Mikel Obi will be on the trail to Eagles camp in Faro and Nations Cup. Also expected to make the list are Real Betis of Spain midfielder, Nosa Igiebor, skipper, Joseph Yobo, Elderson Echejili, Taye Taiwo, Rennes of France defender, Apam? Onyekachi as well as Italy base Ogenyi Onazi.
Those that may be overlooked by the Stephen Keshi led technical crew for the 2013 Nations Cup from our scoop are Inter Milan injured midfielder, Joel Obi, West Bromwich of England pace striker, Osaze Odemwingie, Ukraine-based striker Brown Ideye and Emmanuel Emenike.
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