2013 Nations Cup qualifier: Aiyegbeni, Kaita, Etuhu return to Eagles
…Keshi invites 11 pros for Rwanda
Friday February 17, 2012
• Aiyegbeni
Blackburn’s striker, Yakubu Aiyegbeni, midfielder, Sani Kaita and Dickson Etuhu are making a dramatic return to the national team, Super Eagles against Rwanda for the February 29 Nations Cup qualifier in Kigali.
In the list of invited 11 professional players released by the team’s head coach, Stephen Keshi, shortly after Eagles 2-0 victory over Liberia in Monrovia, the roll celebrates the return of power-playing forward, Ayegbeni and workhorse, midfielder Kaita, both of whom have not been internationally employed since the 2010 FIFA World Cup finals in South Africa.
Kaita earned a red card for retaliation in Nigeria’s second group phase match against Greece in Bloemfontein, while Ayegbeni has been overlooked since missing a sitter against the Republic of Korea in Durban that would have qualified the Super Eagles for the Round of 16 at Africa’s first World Cup finals.
Also called are: Goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama, defenders Joseph Yobo (Captain) and Taye Taiwo, and midfielders Joel Obi, Dickson Etuhu and Victor Moses, and forwards, Ahmed Musa, Ikechukwu Uche and Osaze Odemwingie. Rapid-raider Ayegbeni, who scored for Blackburn Rovers in the English Premiership on his return to action after a three-match ban last weekend, remains Nigeria’s most prolific striker since Samson Siasia hung his international boots in 1999.
NFF’s Director of Technical, Dr. Emmanuel Ikpeme, said yesterday that the players would be expected in camp on Sunday, February 26, while the Nigeria delegation to Rwanda will fly out of Abuja aboard a chartered flight on Monday, February 27. Ikpeme also explained that all the 20 home boys who travelled to
Liberia will remain in camp in Abuja until Coach Stephen Keshi names his army for the Rwanda match on February 26.
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