December 22, 2024

Peter Odemwingie in provisional Nigeria squad

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BBC – ABUJA, Stoke striker Peter Odemwingie and Newcastle forward Shola Ameobi are in Nigeria’s provisional 30-man World Cup squad for Brazil 2014.

Odemwingie has been recalled to the Super Eagles after ending his feud with coach Stephen Keshi.

The pair fell out after Odemwingie was omitted from Keshi’s 2013 Africa Cup of Nations squad.

Odemwingie, 32, last played for Nigeria in a goalless draw against Rwanda in February 2012.

He told BBC Sport: “I made mistakes in the past but I’ve put all that behind me now. I thank the manager for this chance.

“This is good for my career because I am in a better place right now. I just want to make my own contribution to the team and my country.”

Also handed a recall is captain Joseph Yobo, 33, who has not played for Nigeria since they won the Africa Cup of Nations in South Africa last year.

John Mikel Obi of Chelsea and Liverpool’s Victor Moses lead a cast of 19 returning players from the Nations Cup squad despite both struggling for first-team football, but Hull’s Sone Aluko is left out.

The three-time African champions will face Scotland in a friendly on 28 May at Craven Cottage, before they depart for their training camp in Houston, Texas.

They will also play friendly internationals against Greece and the United States in June as part of their warm-up for this year’s World Cup.

The West Africans will play Greece in Philadelphia on 3 June then face USA in Jacksonville, Florida on 7 June. The deadline to name the final 23-man squad is 2 June.

Nigeria will face Argentina, Iran and Bosnia in Group F of this summer’s tournament in Brazil.

Provisional Nigeria squad:

Goalkeepers: Vincent Enyeama (Lille FC, France); Austin Ejide (Hapoel Be’er Sheva, Israel), Daniel Akpeyi (Warri Wolves), Chigozie Agbim (Gombe United)

Defenders: Elderson Echiejile (AS Monaco, France); Efe Ambrose (Celtic, Scotland); Godfrey Oboabona (Rizespor, Turkey); Azubuike Egwuekwe (Warri Wolves); Kenneth Omeruo (Middlesbrough, England); Juwon Oshaniwa (Ashdod FC, Israel); Joseph Yobo (Norwich City, England); Kunle Odunlami (Sunshine Stars).

Midfielders: John Mikel Obi (Chelsea, England); Ramon Azeez (Almeria FC, Spain); Ogenyi Onazi (SS Lazio, Italy); Joel Obi (Parma, Italy); Nnamdi Oduamadi (Varese, Italy); Ejike Uzoenyi (Enugu Rangers), Nosa Igiebor (Real Betis, Spain), Sunday Mba (CA Bastia, France), Reuben Gabriel (Waasland-Beveren, Belgium), Michael Babatunde (Volyn Lutsk, Ukraine).

Forwards: Ahmed Musa (CSKA Moscow, Russia); Shola Ameobi (Newcastle United, England); Emmanuel Emenike (Fenerbahce, Turkey); Obinna Nsofor (Chievo Verona, Italy); Peter Odemwingie (Stoke City, England), Michael Uchebo (Cercle Brugge, Belgium); Victor Moses (Liverpool, England), Uche Nwofor (Heerenveen, Holland).