24 Home-Based Players Make S’Eagles List …World Cup Qualifiers

Super Eagles boss, Stephen Keshi, has unveiled a list of 24 home-based professional players for the all-important World Cup qualifier against the Harambee Stars of Kenya on March 23 in Calabar.

According to a news release in Lagos yesterday, the list of foreign professionals will be released tomorrow.

The release added that Keshi had mapped out plans to ensure that only fit and ready players would be invited for the March 23 showdown.

On the 24-man home-based Eagles list are Chigozie Agbim and Sunday Mba, who was one of the heroes of Nigeria’s 2013 AFCON win.

Others are Godfrey Oboabona, (Sunshine Stars) who featured in all the matches in the AFCON, Gabriel Reuben, and the duo of Papa Idris and goalkeeper Daniel Akpeyi.

But the surprise package in the team is Shooting Stars of Ibadan goaltender, Dele Ajiboye, who started with the U-17 and has been with the Flying Eagles, U23s and now the Super Eagles.

A young and agile goalkeeper, Ajiboye, is expected to bring his wealth of experience gained through the ranks to bear in the battle for a starting place in the team.

The team will be camped at the Bolton White Apartments, Zone 7, Abuja, from Sunday, March 10, from where they will be joined by their foreign based colleagues.

Below is the full list of invited players:

Chigozie Agbim (Rangers), Akpeyi Daniel (Heartland), Dele Ajiboye (3SC), Egwueke Azubuike (Warri Wolves), Papa Idris (Kano Pillars), Zango Umar (Kano Pillars), Oboabona Godfrey (Sunshine Stars), Kwambe Solomon (Sunshine Stars) and Chibuzor Okonkwo (Rangers).

Others are Ezekiel Bassey (Lobi Stars), Benjamin Francis (Heartland), Zubaru Muhammad (Tornadoes), Sunday Mba, Gabriel Reuben (Kano Pillars), Gambo Muhammad (Kano Pillars), Ubale Mannir (Kano Pillars), and Pius Samson (Ranchers Bees).

The rest are Ohanduku Gomo (Sharks), Obinna Nwachukwu (Heartland), Saka Ayo (Enyimba), Jiya Muhammad (Bayelsa), Emeka Ezeh (Rangers), Anthony Okputu (Lobi Stars) and Adepoju Taofeek (3SC).