Chelsea's Mikel dropped by Nigeria

Nigeria have left Chelsea midfielder John Mikel Obi out of their squad for a series of World Cup and Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers next month.

Nigeria coach Stephen Keshi has called for Mikel to declare his readiness to feature for the team.

<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S296FB4yrhg" target="_blank" class="aeva_link bbc_link new_win" rel="nofollow">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S296FB4yrhg</a>

Mikel has yet to play for the Super Eagles since Keshi took charge of the side in November, but the coach insisted that the Chelsea ace remains very much part of his plans.



"Mikel is in my plans but we will give other players an opportunity as well," said Keshi on Thursday.

"We need to give players from the local league a chance. After all, how many knew about such players as Uche Kalu, Ejike Uzoenyi or Godfrey Oboabona before now?"

Austin Ejide, Fengor Ogude, Efe Ambrose, Elderson Echiejile and John Utaka have all been recalled in a group of 11 players based overseas, which also features Wigan Athletic forward Victor Moses.

Nigeria will name another squad of 18 players from the domestic league, who are due to fly out this weekend for a friendly in Peru.

The Super Eagles will host Namibia in a 2014 World Cup qualifier on June 3 in Calabar, before travelling to Malawi as the qualifying series continues the following weekend.

They are also due to host Rwanda in a second-leg qualifier for the 2013 Nations Cup to be hosted by South Africa.

Overseas-based players called up by Nigeria

Goalkeepers: Vincent Enyeama (Lille/FRA), Austin Ejide (Petach Tikva/ISR)

Defenders: Joseph Yobo (Fenerbache/TUR), Efe Ambrose (Ashdod/ISR), Elderson Echiejile (Sporting Braga/POR)

Midfielders: Fengor Ogude (Valrenga/NOR)

Forwards: Ike Uche (Granada/ESP), Ahmed Musa (CSKA Moscow/RUS), Sone Aluko (Rangers/SCO), John Utaka (Montpellier/FRA), Victor Moses (Wigan Athletic/ENG)

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Posted: at 17-05-2012 05:43 PM (11 years ago) | Addicted Hero

OK

Posted: at 17-05-2012 06:15 PM (11 years ago) | Hero

oops..i posted my comment on the wrong topic

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Posted: at 17-05-2012 11:55 PM (11 years ago) | Addicted Hero

KESHI SHOULD RETHINK

Posted: at 18-05-2012 02:25 AM (11 years ago) | Upcoming

I really admire Steve Keshi and his ways of doing things especially his coaching styles...But i would like to say categorically that his selection of players needs to be upgraded in terms of exposure and experienced .I know for sure that by learning we become wiser but  this time around especially Nigerians football situation cannot be toyed with ..We didn't qualified for this last Nations Cup which is a very big shame on our own part .I pray that Keshi will see reason to this and avoid anything whatsoever that might bring this Our Super Eagles not to be in the promised land .

Posted: at 18-05-2012 03:14 AM (11 years ago) | Gistmaniac

Keshi be careful i we not tell you this again

Posted: at 18-05-2012 04:46 AM (11 years ago) | Gistmaniac

dont warn him, is better than you in all good things, wait for you turn, when you become a coach you should sign 23 mikel type in your team lets see were u will go from there

Posted: at 18-05-2012 04:51 AM (11 years ago) | Newbie

He knows what he is doing

Posted: at 18-05-2012 05:21 AM (11 years ago) | Hero

hmmm freaky na so u d vex reach u be real anti-mikel,,,,so u mean u en keshi knws more dan d chelsea coach,,,infact u don mak me vexvex nw,,,mak i ask u small abeg,,,do u knw what wll b hppning at the ALLIANZ ARENA stadium 2mrw by 8.45pm,, do u knw who wores chelsea's number 12 tell keshi to shine im eyes wella orrrrr.

Posted: at 18-05-2012 05:34 AM (11 years ago) | Upcoming

good idea

Posted: at 18-05-2012 06:18 AM (11 years ago) | Gistmaniac