Obasi In, Eneramo Out For Eagles

Esperance striker Michael Eneramo has been removed from Nigeria’s African Nations Cup final list of 23 and substituted with Hoffenheim forward Chinedu Obasi.

Nigeria, without any pre-tournament camping, sent in their list of 23 before the January 1 deadline to avoid paying a $10,000 penalty. Eneramo’s name was on that initial list, along with Wolfsburg forward Obafemi Martins, whose fitness was a source of doubt.

But team Media Officer Idah Peterside told Tidesports’ source that Martins proved his fitness in training with the squad, and a decision was made to keep the impressive Obasi.

“We had to send in our list before the deadline to avoid paying a fine. But the rules allow us to make a substitution before the final tournament kicks off.

“So after the few days of training here, the technical crew decided to include Obasi in the list. We wrote to CAF asking for permission to make a substitution, and they have just written back to us giving the go-ahead.

“So Eneramo has been dropped and Obasi will take his place,” Peterside said.

Eneramo scored for Nigeria against Republic of Ireland in an international friendly in London in May, 2009 and also Nigeria’s second goal against Tunisia in a crucial 2010 World Cup qualifier in Abuja in September.