Instructively, the final 23-man squad for the global competition will have to be drawn from the initial 30. There can be no addition. Which is why every Nigerian with the tiniest bit of interest in the national team is concerned about who is in and who is not.
As expected, especially after reports of disagreements between Keshi and members of the Nigeria Football Federation technical committee, some of the names on the list have raised eyebrows.
While people were coming up with all kinds of bogus lists before the official one was released on Tuesday night, few mentioned Babatunde Michael, Reuben Gabriel and Michael Uchebo. All of them are in the provisional list plus Uche Nwofor.
Understandably, the inclusion of these players has left football people scratching their heads, wondering how Keshi - and perhaps the sometimes meddling technical committee – came up with these names.
Then there is Chigozie Agbim, the goalkeeper who was so shaky at the last Championship of African Nations that hearts fluttered whenever he went near the ball.
Ukraine-based Michael, who did not really look the part when given an opportunity during last year’s FIFA Confederations Cup, has not exactly set the Eastern European country on fire. He has played 21 games, mostly as a wide man, and scored just twice this season.
Yes, it could be argued that Michael could provide options out wide. But Chinedu Obasi could do that too and also play as a centre forward. And the Schalke forward, whose abundant talent has never been in doubt despite being prone to injuries, has been in fine form lately.
Strangely, Michael was preferred to Obasi.
Cercle Brugge’s Uchebo, who has scored just five goals in 30 matches and played only once for the Eagles, and the inactive Nwofor, were also preferred to Obasi.
Nwofor’s sole claim to fame is the brace against South Africa in the 2-0 win at the Mandela Challenge last year. He has played only three games – all as a sub - for his Dutch club Heereven this season, the last time in November. He got in the squad ahead of Obafemi Martins, Ikechukwu Uche and Brown Ideye
It does boggle the mind. But then Keshi and the technical committee must have their reasons. But, surely, the selection cannot be solely based on footballing reasons.
Probably issues of discipline shot to pieces the World Cup chances of Uche, who has been in great form for Villarreal this term, Martins (currently on a scoring streak in the Major League Soccer) and the loyal Ideye, whose form admittedly dropped after a super outing at the Africa Cup of Nations last year.
Agbim is not the only contentious goalkeeper on the list. Apart from the impeccable Vincent Enyeama and Austin Ejide, Daniel Akpeyi is also listed as one of the custodians.
But, according to our Glo Premier League expert Sab Osuji, there are at least three goalkeepers in the domestic championship who are better than Agbim and Akpeyi. These are Okiemute Odah of Warri Wolves (incidentally the man keeping Akepyi out at the same club), Kano Pillars’ Theophilus Afelokhai and Rangers’ Emmanuel Daniel.
Unfortunately, one of Agbim or Akpeyi will be in Brazil as the third keeper. God forbid there are injuries to Enyeama and Ejide.
Another major concern is Reuben who has played only 275 minutes of club football in two years for Kilmarnock and Waasland Beveren. That is a total of three matches in TWO YEARS. He could be featuring in Brazil, while the likes of Haruna Lukman of Dynamo Kiev and John Ogu, the big, strong midfield grafter, are not included.
Granted Ogu has been inactive for a while after defying his club, Academica, to play for the Super Eagles, but he has been impressive whenever he has featured for the Eagles. The same cannot be said of Reuben.
Ogu got canned by his club for putting his country first. The same country has dropped him for another inactive player.
Thankfully, it is not all negative. All the usual suspects made the squad: Enyeama, Ejide, Godfrey Oboabona, Efe Ambrose, Kenneth Omeruo, Mikel Obi, Emmanuel Emenike, Victor Moses and others.
It is also good to see the recall of Joseph Yobo and Osaze Odemwingie following a show of remorse after both disrespected Keshi. Some still have their doubts about Odemwingie’s supersized ego, but Keshi has done his part by giving the Stoke forward another chance.
All in all, Keshi has a decent pool of talent to select his final 23 from. Hopefully, the final squad will not raise as many eyebrows as the 30-man list has.
THE LIST
1. Vincent Enyeama
2. Austin Ejide
3. Daniel Akpeyi
4. Chigozie Agbim
5. Godfrey Oboabona
6. Juwon Oshaniwa
7. Efe Ambrose
8. Azubuike Egwekwe
9. Kunle Odunlami
10. Kenneth Omeruo
11. Elderson Echiejile
12. Mikel Obi
13. Joel Obi
14. Ogenyi Onazi
15. Ramon Azeez
16. Ejike Uzoenyi
17. Sunday Mba
18. Babatunde Michael
19. Ahmed Musa
20. Victor Moses
21. Obinna Nsofor
22. Michael Uchebo
23. Reuben Gabriel
24. Uche Nwofor
25. Shola Ameobi
26. Nosa Igiebor
27. Emmanuel Emenike
28. Nnamdi Oduamadi
29. Joseph Yobo
30. Osaze Odemwingie
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