Anichebe Targets Eagles World Cup Shirt

Victor Anichebe is hoping he can regain full match fitness in time to be considered for a place in Lars Lagerback’s 23-man squad for South Africa.

The Everton youngster cracked a stunning effort home in Everton’s 2-2 draw at Birmingham on Saturday in his sixth appearance for the club after being out for nearly a year with torn ligaments in his ankle.

It was only his third start for the club and Anichebe told Tidesports source  that while Premier League fitness is his primary focus, he also has an eye on the World Cup party.

“Fitness for the Premier League is my first target but I’d be lying if I said the World Cup is not in my thoughts.

“The Olympic Games was an unbelievable experience and to take part in a World Cup would top that especially with it being in Africa”.

Nigeria’s forward line is bursting at the seams with talent like Osaze Odemwingie, Obafemi Martins, Yakubu Ayegbeni, Ike Uche, Chinedu Obasi and Michael Eneramo as well as the likes of Peter Utaka and Joseph Akpala. The big forward knows that competition will be stiff.

“Nigeria has a very good squad and plenty of attacking options so I am not suggesting for a minute that as soon as I am fit, I’ll be selected.

“I will have to prove myself to show that I am capable but I’m sure that everyone in the team still has something to prove nobody in the team has automatic selection.

“I’m not the coach he is the only one that can pick the team.”

Nigeria had an inconsistent African Nations Cup performance in Angola early in the year, and the forward says it was hard watching and not being involved.

“To be honest I missed playing football in general. Its hard just watching knowing that you’re not going to be involved for a while but my best wishes always gone to my team and my country.

“It would have been good to have gone to Angola but my main focus is to concentrate on getting myself fit again and playing well for my club, then maybe I can start thinking of playing for my country.

“I am very proud to be a Nigerian and it makes me even prouder to have represented my country so hopefully when I regain my fitness I can achieve this again.”

Anichebe was taken off with just over 20 minutes to play in that Birmingham game after landing awkwardly and rolling in pain on the turf, but he says he is fine.

“It is not as bad as we thought at first. It’s good,” he said.