Nigeria have recalled Ikechukwu Uche to their squad ahead of
next month's pair of Africa Cup of Nations qualifying matches against Congo and
South Africa. Coach Stephen Keshi, who returns to his job after being
edged out two weeks ago, is going to work with the Villareal striker almost two
years after they parted ways following break down in relations.
Uche was conspicuosly the best Nigeria striker in Europe
last season but was ignored as Keshi opted for other strikers during the Super
Eagles' World Cup campaign.
Keshi's return to the job is due to board room politics as
the country's leader waded in during the week to ensure factions in the Nigeria
Football Federation sheathed their swords to avoid earning Fifa's ire.
52-year-old Keshi, the country's most successful local
coach, has come under intense criticism for his handling of player invitations
and his relations with NFF top brass who described him as increasingly
difficult to handle.
After his contract ran out at the end of the World Cup, he
was brought back to work in an interim role by the sports minister while
elections were held for a new board that would negotiate terms for a new
contract.
However, his team lost two of their four matches in the
Afcon qualifiers, won one and drew the other and need to win their last two in
order to qualify for Morocco 2015.
He was asked to leave a day after their 3-1 victory over
Sudan in Abuja while former coach Amodu Shaibu was asked to step in and see
through the remaining matches.
Justifying the return of Keshi, the NFF stated that Amodu
wrote a letter asking for Keshi to continue in the job while he would assist in
his bigger role as technical adviser to the federation.
Keshi also recalled Sunshine Stars' Solomon Kwambe and
handed a first call up to Dolphins' Emem Eduok and Tony Edjomari of Nasarawa
United.
Nigeria travel to face Congo in Pointe Noire on November 14
before concluding with a home tie against South Africa on November 19.
Full Squad
Goalkeepers: Vincent Enyeama (Lille OSC, France); Austin
Ejide (Hapoel Be’er Sheva, Israel); Chigozie Agbim (Gombe United, Nigeria)
Defenders: Elderson Echiejile (Monaco FC, France); Juwon
Oshaniwa (Ashdod FC, Israel); Efe Ambrose (Celtic FC, Scotland); Solomon Kwambe
(Sunshine Stars, Nigeria); Godfrey Oboabona (Rizespor FC, Turkey); Kenneth
Omeruo (Middlesbrough FC, England); Azubuike Egwuekwe (Warri Wolves, Nigeria)
Midfielders: John Mikel Obi (Chelsea FC, England); Ogenyi
Onazi (SS Lazio, Italy); Hope Akpan (Reading FC, England); Raheem Lawal
(Eskisehirspor FC, Turkey); Omatsone Aluko (Hull City, England); Tony Edjomari
(Nasarawa United, Nigeria)
Forwards: Ahmed Musa (CSKA Moscow, Russia); Emmanuel Emenike
(Fenerbahce FC, Turkey); Gbolahan Salami (Warri Wolves, Nigeria); Osaguona
Ighodaro (Enugu Rangers, Nigeria); Ikechukwu Uche (Villareal FC, Spain); Aaron
Samuel (Guangzhou R&F, China); Sunday Emmanuel (SV Scholz Grodig, Austria);
Babatunde Michael (Volyn Lutsk, Ukraine): Emem Eduok (Dolphins FC, Nigeria)
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