Nigeria invites 24 players for Mali, Ivory Coast friendlies

Twenty four players from the Nigerian domestic league have been invited for the upcoming friendly games between Nigeria and two of its West African neighbours, Ivory Coast and Mali.

The two countries will be competing in the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations which the Super Eagles missed out.

According to a statement from Ademola Olajire, the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, Media officer, the list of players was drawn up by Assistant Coach Daniel Amokachi even as the contract issue for Coach Stephen Keshi lingers on.

Gombe United goalkeeper, Chigozie Agbim, leads the list of invitees, with Azubuike Egwuekwe, Kwambe Solomon, Umar Zango, Rabiu Ali, Emem Eduok, Kingsley Sokari, Mfon Udoh, Gbolahan Salami and Gambo Muhammad, also called.

Providing more details on the Mali and Ivory Coast friendly, NFF General Secretary, Musa Amadu, confirmed on Wednesday that the Eagles will confront the two teams in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates in January 2015.

The Super Eagles will confront 1992 African champions Cote d’Ivoire, whom they edged 2-1 in the quarter finals in South Africa, on January 9, and take on fellow Eagles of Mali, who were overhauled 4-1 by the Nigerians in the semi-finals in South Africa, four days later.

“We are working round the clock to make sure that the Super Eagles will have opponents for all the FIFA windows available in year 2015, and we are happy that the two games with the Ivoirians and the Malians are sealed,” he said.

“The Elephants and the Les Aiglons are on their way to the 30th Africa Cup of Nations in Equatorial Guinea, so they are sure to give our team good games.”

Players are expected to report at the Bolton White Apartments, Abuja on Sunday, 28th December with their international passports and four passport photographs.

Full list

Goalkeepers: Chigozie Agbim (Gombe United); Daniel Akpeyi (Warri Wolves); Theophilus Afelokhai (Kano Pillars)
Defenders: Solomon Kwambe (Sunshine Stars); Idris Aloma (El-Kanemi FC); Chimma Akas (Sharks FC); Nelson Ogbonna (Heartland FC); Azubuike Egwuekwe (Warri Wolves); Erhun Obanor (Bendel Insurance); Bright Esieme (Enyimba FC); Umar Zango (Kano Pillars)
Midfielders: Ammel Angel Wilfred (Kogi United); Joseph Nathaniel (Sharks FC); Charles Henlong (Giwa FC); Stanley Dimgba (Warri Wolves); Rabiu Ali (Kano Pillars); Chinedu Udeaga (Enugu Rangers); Emem Eduok (Dolphins FC); Kingsley Sokari (Enyimba FC)
Forwards: Mfon Udoh (Enyimba FC); Gbolahan Salami (Warri Wolves); Osaguona Christian (Enugu Rangers); Gambo Muhammad (Kano Pillars); Christian Obiozor (Enugu Rangers).