THE 42 MAN SQUAD FOR MALAWI

Super Eagles head coach, Stephen Keshi on Tuesday unveiled a 42 man list for the All-important  September 7 FIFA 2014 qualifier against Malawi in Calabar. Complete Sports Saturday’s ADEBOYE AMOSU runs the rule over the 18 foreign based stars for the clash against the Flames.


GOALKEEPERS

VINCENT ENYEAMA [LILLE, FRANCE]
The Lille of France goal tender is returning to the Eagles fold following his exclusion from the squad that faced Bafana Bafana of  South Africa in the Nelson Mandela Challenge earlier in the month.

The Eagles first choice, all things being equal, should start in goal against the Malawians in what will be his 85th cap for the African Champions.

Enyeama’s good form on the international scene has not gone unnoticed at club level, as he been handed a starter’s shirt by new Lille handler, Rene Girard, after returning from his loan stint with Israeli side Hapoel Tel Aviv.

AUSTINE EJIDE [HAPOEL BE’ER  SHEVA, FRANCE]
Ejide put up a fine performance in Enyeama’s absence in Super Eagles last outing against South Africa. That may however  not be enough for him to steal the number one shirt from his rival.

However,should Enyeama be indisposed for the encounter against the Flames of Malawi, he would not only be capable replacement but a reliable one.

The former Gabros shot stopper has remain ever present in goal for his Israeli side, Hapoel Be’er Sheva.

DEFENDERS

ELDERSON ECHIEJILE [SPORTING BRAGA,PORTUGAL]
Despite not having a real challenger for his position, the marauding left wing back has continued to improve with every game in the green and white  colours of Nigeria.  Another five star showing is expected from the former Bendel Insurance player in the September 7 fixture.

His impressive showing on the international scene has not gone unnoticed,  as he has been linked with a host of European sides including English Premier League side, Everton, which have touted him as replacement for want-away England left back, Leighton Baines who is rumored to be on his way to Manchester   United.

EFE AMBROSE [CELTIC, SCOTLAND]
Like his fellow defender, the Celtic man has been linked with clubs  in England.The tall defender will fill the right back position for Stephen Keshi’s men against Malawi at the UJ Esuene Stadium in Calabar on September 7.

Though Efe was surprisingly left out of Celtic Champions League first leg play-off qualifying tie against Shakhter Karagandy on Tuesday, he had earlier  featured in his club’s two league games in Scottish Premier League this season.

The former Kaduna United player was  impressive for the Super Eagles in the friendly encounter against South Africa in Durban on August 7.

JAMES OKWUOSA [CHIPPA UNITED, SOUTH AFRICA]
Came in for Azubuike Egwueke in what was his first baptism  of fire on the international scene,  in the friendly win  against South Africa.

The tough tackling Chippa United defender will fancy his chances of a second appearance for Nigeria,  especially with Kenneth Omeruo out of the qualifier due to a shoulder injury.

He will have to battle hard though, with Egwueke well ahead of him in the pecking order.

MIDFIELDERS

JOHN OBI MIKEL [CHELSEA, ENGLAND]
The Catalyst returns to Eagles fold after missing out of the last engagement due to injury. His presence will help stabilize the Eagles midfield in the important 2014 World Cup qualifier against the Malawians.

Stephen Keshi and his men may need to work on his fitness as he is yet to feature in a competitive match for Chelsea this season, albeit he was sparingly used in pre season games.

Despite that, he remains one of most important player for Nigeria as exemplified by his splendid performance at the African Cup of Nations early in the year in South Africa which Nigeria won and the FIFA Confederations Cup in Brazil.

FEGOR OGUDE [VALERANGA,NORWAY]
The Norway based midfielder retains his place in the team despite doing   little to impressive the fans in recent times.

Injury to  Ogenyi Onazi afforded him the opportunity to play regularly at the Confederation Cup in Brazil but with the Lazio man back in action, he is expected to be confined to the
substitutes’ bench once again.

He was an unused sub against South Africa and his chance of earning a starter’s shirt against Malawi may have been limited with the recall of Nosa Igiebor by the handlers.

The hard tackling midfielder already has 16 caps for Nigeria.

JOHN OGU [ACADEMICA  DE COIMBRA, PORTUGAL]
Enhanced his position for a starter’s shirt in the Eagles with an all round display against South Africa but still needs to polish a few aspects of his game notably his marking ability.

Ogu wil have to slug it out with the duo of Nosa Igiebor and Sunday Mba for a starting role in the side’s next engagement

against Malawi, as John  Mikel Obi and Ogenyi Onazi are sure to be in coach Stephen Keshi’s first   eleven.

VICTOR MOSES [CHELSEA, ENGLAND]
His introduction alongside Ahmed Musa did the magic for Nigeria in the exhibition tie against  South Africa and he is expected to be a key man once again in the World Cup qualifier next month.

Like his Chelsea teammate, John Obi Mikel,Moses  has not featured for Jose Mourinho’s team in a competitive game this season, though he enjoyed more playing time than his international teammate in pre-season.

His form will be crucial for the Eagles, if they are to fly past the Malawians.

NOSA IGIEBOR [REAL BETIS,SPAIN]
Nosa Igiebor is making a return to the Super Eagles after last featuring for Stephen Keshi’s men at the last African Cup of Nations in South Africa, which they won following a 1-0 victory against Burkina Faso in the final match.

He was widely criticised for his shoddy display in the competition and was dropped after the second game against Zambia for Sunday Mba, who went ahead to   score two crucial goals for the team as they secured their third AFCON title.

The former junior international put up a solid display in Real Betis  La-Liga opening fixture against Real Madrid last weekend.

NNAMDI ODUAMADI  [BRESCIA, ITALY]
The Brescia of Italy loanee still needs to do more to be a sure starter for the Super Eagles.The Malawi game offered him another opportunity to show more of what he is capable of.

He has settled down well at his new club Brescia and already has a goal to his name.

OGENYI ONAZI (LAZIO, ITALY)
The Lazio man will surely be in the starting line-up, barring any injury concern.
The former junior international was part of the Lazio team that lost 4-0 to Juventus in the Italian Super Cup last weekend.

FORWARDS

AHMED MUSA  [CSKA MOSCOW, RUSSIA)]
He has been in fine form for CSKA Moscow in the Russian League this season, banging in goals with great aplomb.But still guaranteed a starting shirt with the arrays of talented forwards available to the coaches.

If he is able to show more consistency on the international stage, he will surely be a prominent member of the team.

BROWN IDEYE  [DYNAMO KIEV, UKRAINE]
The emergence of Uche Nwofor   has further cast doubt on Brown Ideye’s role in the  Super Eagles. The forward had a average performance in AFCON 2013 but was a flop in the absence of his strike partner in the  Confederation Cup in Brazil.

It is difficult to see him feature against Malawi with the glut of strikers now available for the selectors.

He has also lost his place in Dynamo Kiev to Congo Democratic Republic hitman, Diermerci Mbokani.

SHOLA AMEOBI [NEWCASTLE UNITED]
The Newcastle man has another opportunity to impress the technical crew, after his poor showing against South Africa left many to question his relevance to the team.

He too will struggle to pin down a starting shirt especially with AFCON topscorer, Emmanuel Emenike expected to make his return.

A cameo appearance is not beyond him if all goes according to  plan and the technical crew need to try fresh legs.

EMMANUEL EMENIKE  [FENERBACHE,TURKEY]
All things being equal this will be the first   match for Emenike  after the team’s Nations Cup winning feat in February. He may also be entrusted with the responsibility of leading the attack as he already has the confidence of the handlers.

The former Spartak Moascow player knows he cannot afford to rest at the moment, with other strikers fighting hard to displace him as the team’s main forward.

He is yet to hit the ground running as he failed to hit the back of the net in the games he has featured for Fenerbache since joining them from Russian side,Spartak Moscow.

OBINNA NSOFOR  [LOCOMOTIV MOSCOW,RUSSIA]
Played for the first time under Stephen Keshi in the friendly win against South Africa.
The Russia based former junior international gave a glimpse of his old self before being hauled of in the second half.He has another chance to prove he still has what it takes to feature more for the team on a regular basis.

UCHE NWOFOR [VVV VENLO,NETHERLANDS]
Staked a  claim for a permanent role in   the Super Eagles with his  well taken goals against Bafana Bafana.That may still be enough for him to displace Emmanuel Emenike as the Eagles main striker but a  repeat performance will certainly put him in strong contention in future.

The VVV Venlo hitman will surely play a role in the game despite fierce competition for places among the strikers.


LIST OF HOME BASED-PROFESSIONALS

GOALKEEPERS: Chigozie Agbim (Enugu Rangers); Daniel Akpeyi (Heartland FC).

DEFENDERS: Abubuike Egwuekwe (Warri Wolves); Godfrey Oboabona (Sunshine Stars); Solomon Kwambe (Sunshine Stars); Umar Zango (Kano Pillars); Benjamin Francis (Heartland FC); Kunle Odunlani (Sunshine Stars); Chibuzor Okonkwo (Enugu Rangers); Yinka Adedeji (Sharks FC); Ganiyu Ogungbe (Kwara United).

MIDFIELDERS: Sunday Mba (Enugu Rangers); Solomon Jabason (Akwa United); Olufemi Oladapo (Shooting Stars); Etebo Oghene (Warri Wolves); Rabiu Ali (Kano Pillars); Moses Okuma (Lobi Stars).

FORWARDS: Muhammed Gambo (kano Pillars); Ifeanyi Edeh (Enyimba FC); Mbah Ezekiel (Akwa United); Barnabas Imenger (Lobi Stars); Izu Azuka (Sunshine Stars); Dimgba Stanley (Kwara United); Osadaiye Joseph.