Nations Cup hero Mba not going to Brazil 2014
Nigeria coach, Stephen Keshi, late Monday night put to rest the long wait for the release of the Super Eagles team to the Brazil 2014 World Cup, naming his previously-estranged captain, Joseph Yobo, in the final 23-man list.
But the man who scored Nigeria’s winning goal in the final of the 2013 African Cup of Nations in South Africa, Sunday Mba, will not be going to the World Cup.
Yobo, Nigeria’s most-capped player, now knows he will be spending his summer in Brazil rather than holidaying in a beach; and he now has a realistic chance of becoming the first Nigerian to hit a century of caps.
It was better luck next time, though, for Daniel Akpeyi; dimunitive midfielder, Joel Obi; former U-23 star, Nosa Igiebor; and 2014 CHAN Most Valuable Player, Ejike Uzoenyi.
Victor Nsofor and Nnamdi Oduamadi were also unlucky to miss out.
Below is the full list:
Goalkeepers: Vincent Enyeama, Austin Ejide, Chigozie Agbim
Defenders: Joseph Yobo, Elderson Echiejile, Juwon Oshaniwa, Godfrey Oboabona, Azubuike Egwuekwe, Kenneth Omeruo, Efe Ambrose, Kunle Odunlami
Midfielders: John Mikel Obi, Ogenyi Onazi, Ramon Azeez, Michael Uchebo, Reuben Gabriel
Forwards: Osaze Odemwingie, Ahmed Musa, Shola Ameobi, Emmanuel Emenike, Babatunde Michael, Victor Moses, Uche Nwofor
The team presents mostly unknown figures in the round leather sport. Really, I am concerned for excellent representation by the team on the field of play. It is possible, though, that what we lack in ‘ names’, we would gain on the sidelines with our coaching crew. Amen