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Coach Stephen Keshi has returned as Super Eagles coach after the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Technical Committee accepted the plea for his reconsideration, made by Coach Shaibu Amodu on Monday.
Amodu was announced to take over the senior squad in the early hours of October 16, after the team’s 3-1 victory over Sudan in Abuja only took it to third place in the Group A table of the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign.
In a letter dated 27 October, 2014 and addressed to NFF President, Amaju Pinnick, through the Chairman of NFF Technical Committee, the former Super Eagles coach pleaded that Keshi should be recalled for the two matches as the time-frame was too short to put together a new team for the mission
“As Technical Director of the NFF, I am ready and willing to help build a better relationship among Keshi (with whom I have enjoyed good working relationship in the past and who is still very close to me), the players and the NFF Technical Committee,” Amodu wrote.
Speaking on Friday morning, Chairman of the NFF Technical Committee, Chief Felix Anyansi-Agwu, said his committee had accepted the plea and forwarded same to the NFF President.
“We have deliberated on Coach Amodu’s letter, and after speaking to my committee members, we decided to accept it and informed the NFF President of our approval.”
On his part, NFF President, Amaju Pinnick, simply said on Friday that he had no objection to the proposal.
“I have never had anything against Keshi as a person. Amodu is someone we all respect and since that is his opinion and the Technical Committee has approved, so be it.
“I have always said that the work of the committees will not be interfered with. We will give the committees the independence to do their work for optimum results. I am also assuring Nigerians at home and abroad that the NFF will give Keshi all the necessary support to successfully prosecute the two very crucial final matches of the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying series.”
Uche Joins Team
In a swift response to confirm his readiness to lead the team, Coach Stephen Keshi has called up 25 players for the must-win 2015 Cup of Nations qualifying matches against the Red Devils of Congo and Bafana Bafana of South Africa.
Respected, Villareal striker Ikechukwu Uche joins the team for the first time in nearly two years, and there is also a first senior team opportunity for Nasarawa United midfielder Tony Edjomari.
Home –based defender Solomon Kwambe also return, and Aaron Samuel (who got one of the goals against Sudan), Hope Akpan, Sunday Emmanuel and home –boy Emem Eduok have further chances after being called for the matches against the Falcons of Sudan.
Skipper and goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama, defenders Godfrey Oboabona and Elderson Echiejile, midfielders Ogenyi Onazi and Mikel Obi, and forwards Ahmed Musa, Emmanuel Emenike and Babatunde Michael are also invited.
All the players are expected to report at the Bolton White Apartments, Wuse, Abuja on Sunday, 9th November.
Goalkeepers: Vincent Enyeama (Lille OSC, France); Austin Ejide (Hapoel Be’er Sheva, Israel); Chigozie Agbim (Gombe United, Nigeria)
Defenders: Elderson Echiejile (Monaco FC, France); Juwon Oshaniwa (Ashdod FC, Israel); Efe Ambrose (Celtic FC, Scotland); Solomon Kwambe (Sunshine Stars, Nigeria); Godfrey Oboabona (Rizespor FC, Turkey); Kenneth Omeruo (Middlesbrough FC, England); Azubuike Egwuekwe (Warri Wolves, Nigeria)
Midfielders: John Mikel Obi (Chelsea FC, England); Ogenyi Onazi (SS Lazio, Italy); Hope Akpan (Reading FC, England); Raheem Lawal (Eskisehirspor FC, Turkey); Omatsone Aluko (Hull City, England); Tony Edjomari (Nasarawa United, Nigeria)
Forwards: Ahmed Musa (CSKA Moscow, Russia); Emmanuel Emenike (Fenerbahce FC, Turkey); Gbolahan Salami (Warri Wolves, Nigeria); Osaguona Ighodaro (Enugu Rangers, Nigeria); Ikechukwu Uche (Villareal FC, Spain); Aaron Samuel (Guangzhou R&F, China); Sunday Emmanuel (SV Scholz Grodig, Austria); Babatunde Michael (Volyn Lutsk, Ukraine): Emem Eduok (Dolphins FC, Nigeria)
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