Keshi Names Squad: Recalls Martins, Osaze Out, And More

By Arinze Ude

Super Eagles coach, Stephen Keshi has recalled Levante’s in-form striker, Obafemi Martins to the Super Eagles’ fold for their 2014 World Cup qualifier against Harambee Stars of Kenya. Martins was left out of Super Eagles’ party to the 2013 African Cup of Nations in South Africa but he’s won Keshi over with some scintillating displays this season. However, there’s still no place for Osaze Odemwingie, who insulted the NFF, Keshi, players and ex-players on social media after he was ignored by Keshi for the AFCON. Bright Dike, who made his debut late last year against Venezuela is also out of team via injury. Super Eagles captain, Joseph Yobo is a surprise omission from the list but Keshi insists Yobo is still the leader of the African Champions. John Ogu, Babatunde Michael and Nnamdi Oduamadi are in line to make the debut for the senior national side after impressing with the U-23s. Nigeria take on Kenya at the U.J Esuene Stadium in Calabar on 23rd March 2013 in one of the Day 3 matches of Group F of the 2014 FIFA World Cup race. Nigeria sit on top of the group on four points while the Kenyans are the bottom with a lone point.   The Full List Goalkeepers: Vincent Enyeama (Maccabi Tel Aviv, Israel); Austin Ejide (Hapoel Be’er Sheva, Israel) Defenders: Efe Ambrose (Celtic, Scotland); Elderson Echiejile (Braga, Portugal); Kenneth Omeruo (ADO Den Haag, The Netherlands) Midfielders: John Mikel Obi (Chelsea, England); Ogenyi Onazi (Lazio, Italy); Fegor Ogude (Valerenga, Norway); John Ogu (Academica de Coimbra, Portugal) Forwards: Ahmed Musa (CSKA Moscow, Russia); Brown Ideye (Dynamo Kyiv, Ukraine); Victor Moses (Chelsea, England); Babatunde Michael (Kryvbas Kryvyi Rih, Ukraine); Nnamdi Oduamadi (A.S Varese 1910, Italy); Obafemi Martins (Levante, Spain).