NFF recalls Siasia’s ‘bad boys’

Before his unexpected fall, former Super Eagles coach, Samson Siasia had issues with some of the senior players in the team.

They include Vincent Enyeama, Osaze Odemwingie, John Obi Mikel, and Dickson Etuhu. Enyeama was not even part of the all-important final CAN qualifier against Guinea in Abuja, October 8 as he was axed by the former coach..

Etuhu said then that he would never play for Nigeria again, for as long as Siasia remained head coach of the Super Eagles.

Vincent Enyeama

A few days after Coach Siasia’s sack, all that seem to have taken a dramatic turn as the technical committee of the NFF yesterday recalled all the ‘Siasia bad boys’ for immediate international duty.

Vincent Enyeama, Dickson Etuhu and Osaze Odemwingie made the list of invited players for the two international friend-ly games against Botswana and Zambia in Benin City and Kaduna later this month.

Following FIFA’s approval of the nationality switch of Wigan Athletic playmaker, Victor Moses and Shola Ameobi, the NFF technical committee also extended an invitation to Moses. Ameobi was left out due to injury.

Dele Aiyenugba, who covered for Enyeama during the match against Guinea was dropped.

There is also a first time call-up for Lecce of Italy striker Edward Ofere and Fulham midfielder Dickson Etuhu will rejoin the team after he was frozen out since last year’s World Cup.

The Super Eagles take on Botswana at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin City on Saturday, November 12, before flying to Kaduna to play Zambia at the Ahmadu Bello Stadium three days later.

The full list:

GOALKEEPERS: Vincent Enyeama (Lille LOSC, France); Austin Ejide (Hapoel Petah Tikva (Israel); Chigozie Agbim (Warri Wolves, Nigeria)

DEFENDERS: Chibuzor Okonkwo (Heartland FC, Nigeria); Gege Soriola (Free State Stars, South Africa); Taye Taiwo (AC Milan, Italy); Elderson Echiejile (Sporting Braga, Portugal); Joseph Yobo (Fenerbahce, Turkey); Efe Ambrose (Ashdod MS, Israel); Ayodele Adeleye (SC Tavriya Simferopol, Ukraine); Ugo Ukah (Widzew Lopdz, Poland); Yusuf Ayila (Dynamo Kiev, Ukraine)

MIDFIELDERS: Mikel Obi (Chelsea, England); Fengor Ogude (Valerenga, Norway); Kalu Uche (Neuchatel Xamax, Switzerland); Nosa Igiebor (Hapoel Tel Aviv, Israel); Dickson Etuhu (Fulham, England); Victor Moses (Wigan Athletic, England), Joel Obi (Inter Milan)

STRIKERS: Obinna Nsofor (Lokomotiv Moscow, Russia); Ahmed Musa (VVV Venlo, Netherlands); Ikechukwu Uche (Granada, Spain); Osaze Odemwingie (West Bromwich Albion, England); Ekigho Ehiosun (Samsunspor, Turkey); Emmanuel Emenike (Spartak Moscow, Russia); Chinedu Obasi (TSG Hoffenheim, Germany); Brown Ideye (Dynamo Kyiv, Ukraine); Edward Ofere (US Lecce, Italy)