Skip to main content

World Cup 2014: Joseph Yobo recalled to Nigeria for Mexico

(FRANKS..)
Nigeria have recalled Norwich City's Joseph Yobo to their squad for a friendly with Mexico in USA on 5 March.
The 33-year-old has not played for Nigeria since they won the Africa Cup of Nations in South Africa last year.
Yobo is Nigeria's most-capped player with 93 appearances and now has a chance to go to the World Cup.
"I've always said Yobo is my captain and he'd be recalled when needed so people shouldn't be surprised," coach Stephen Keshi told BBC Sport.
As expected uncapped trio Imoh Ezekiel, Ramon Azeez and Michael Uchebo are in the squad too.
[The NFF] has given, and will continue to give, its unflinching support to Mr Keshi and the team to do Nigeria proud at the 20th FIFA World Cup finals
NFF statement
But there is no place in the squad for regular quintet Sunday Mba, Brown Ideye, John Ogu, Nnamdi Oduamadi and Chigozie Agbim.
In-form Villarreal striker Ikechukwu Uche and Stoke City's Peter Odemwingie have also been overlooked for the game in the United States.
It will be the second time in 10 months that the sides have met in a friendly in the US - they played out a 2-2 draw in Houston on 31 May.
"This friendly against Mexico will give us a chance to look at some new players before our final World Cup camp," Keshi continued.
"We are hoping to give everyone a chance to show what they can add to the team.
"It is important to emphasis that the Super Eagles door is not completely closed on anyone."
Nigeria face Argentina, Iran and Bosnia-Hercegovina in Group F at the 2014 World Cup, while Mexico play in Group A against hosts and five-time winners Brazil, Croatia and Cameroon.
Meanwhile, the Nigeria Football Federation [NFF] has denied media reports and speculation that they want to hire a foreign assistant for coach Keshi.
Local media reports have been suggesting the NFF have finalised plans to bring in a foreigner ahead of the World Cup in Brazil but the football authority issued a statement denying the rumour.
"The Technical and Development Committee would want to restate its stand that at no time did it contemplate, approve or recommend for the appointment of any foreign Technical Assistant to Head Coach of Super Eagles, Mr Stephen Keshi," read a statement.
"Committee reiterates the fact that it has given, and will continue to give, its unflinching support to Mr Keshi and the team to do Nigeria proud at the 20th FIFA World Cup finals, Brazil 2014."
Nigeria squad to face Mexico in Atlanta:
Goalkeepers: Vincent Enyeama (Lille FC, France); Austin Ejide (Hapoel Be'er Sheva, Israel)
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); Victor Moses (Liverpool, England); Shehu Abdullahi (Kano Pillars); Ejike Uzoenyi (Enugu Rangers)
Forwards: Ahmed Musa (CSKA Moscow, Russia); Shola Ameobi (Newcastle United, England); Emmanuel Emenike (Fenerbahce, Turkey); Obinna Nsofor (Chievo Verona, Italy); Bright Dike (Toronto FC, USA), Imoh Ezekiel (Standard Liege, Belgium); Michael Uchebo (Cercle Brugge, Belgium)

Popular posts from this blog

G8 Northern Ireland summit: Syria set to top agenda

Cannot play media. You do not have the correct version of the flash player. Download the correct version David Cameron and Vladimir Putin disagree on Syria but aim to build on "common ground" Continue reading the main story Syria conflict Behind the battle lines The city that died Who is arming whom? Guide to conflict The leaders of the G8 nations are to begin a summit in Northern Ireland, with Syria's conflict set to dominate. UK PM David Cameron met Russian leader Vladimir Putin - Syria's key ally - on Sunday. They will each hold separate talks with President Barack Obama, who has indicated he will arm the rebels. Mr Cameron, the host, is also keen to focus on global economic issues. He hopes to oversee the launch of talks for an EU-US free trade deal and achieve ...

SODOMY,Same s*x Marriage Legalized In All 50 States Of America

(FRANKS..) The US Supreme Court today June 26th ruled that same-s*x marriages must be recognized in all 50 states of the United States of America. Texas will probably appeal. According To The Washington Post The Supreme Court on Friday delivered a historic victory for gay rights, ruling 5 to 4 that the Constitution requires that same-s*x couples be allowed to marry no matter where they live and that states may no longer reserve the right only for heteroS3xual couples.

Iran nuclear talks: Zarif returns to Vienna on deadline day

(FRANKS..)   Iran's foreign minister has returned to Vienna for talks with world powers on the day set as a deadline for an agreement on its nuclear programme. Mohammad Javad Zarif is accompanied by the head of Iran's atomic energy agency and President Hassan Rouhani's brother. All parties to the talks say they do not expect to reach a deal by the time the self-imposed deadline expires. They stress that much has already been achieved, but a BBC correspondent says success remains far from certain. The so-called P5+1 - the US, UK, France, China and Russia plus Germany - want Iran to scale back its sensitive nuclear activities to ensure that it cannot build a nuclear weapon. Iran, which wants international sanctions lifted in exchange, insists that its nuclear work is peaceful. 'Bottom lines' Iranian officials said a plane carrying Mr Zarif, Atomic Energy Organisation of Iran (AEOI) chief Ali Akbar Salehi and Hossein Fereidoun, President Rouhani...