KESHI Announces Preliminary Afcon Roster

Glasgow Celtic play-maker Rabiu Ibrahim was the surprise inclusion in Stephen Keshi's preliminary African Cup of Nations roster released on Friday evening.

From the list of 32 players announced, 23 will be picked on or before January 9th for the tournament which is being staged in South Africa from January 19 - February 10 next year.

Keshi, with the approval of the Technical Committee of the Nigeria Federation, has named four goalkeepers, ten defenders, eight midfielders and ten strikers for the camping exercise in Faro, Portugal.

In-form Milwall central defender Danny Shittu after more than 2 years in the international wilderness has been recalled to the National Team. Unlucky to make the squad were Obafemi Martins, Peter Odemwingie, Kalu Uche, Victor Obinna, John Utaka and Taye Taiwo.

It is a relatively inexperienced squad for a tournament of this magnitude as more than 20 players in the team have less than 15 international caps.

The Super Eagles first build up game is against the Catalonia National Team on January 2 at Cornella-El Prat Stadium, the home ground of Espanyol.

Nigeria Preliminary Roster
Goalkeepers: Vincent Enyeama (Maccabi Tel Aviv, Israel); Austin Ejide (Hapoel Be’er Sheba, Israel); Chigozie Agbim (Enugu Rangers, Nigeria); Daniel Akpeyi (Heartland FC, Nigeria)

Defenders: Elderson Echiejile (FC Braga, Portugal); Juwon Oshaniwa (Ashdod FC, Israel); Benjamin Francis (Heartland FC, Nigeria); Joseph Yobo (Fenerbahce, Turkey); Efe Ambrose (Celtic FC, Scotland); Solomon Kwambe (Sunshine Stars, Nigeria); Azubuike Egwuekwe (Warri Wolves, Nigeria); Danny Shittu (Millwall FC, England); Kenneth Omeruo (ADO Den Haag, Netherlands); Godfrey Oboabona (Sunshine Stars, Nigeria)

Midfielders: Mikel Obi (Chelsea FC, England); Nosa Igiebor (Real Betis, Spain); Ogenyi Onazi (SS Lazio, Italy); Raheem Lawal (Adana Demirspor, Turkey); Obiora Nwankwo (Calcio Padova, Italy); Fegor Ogude (Valerenga FC, Norway); Reuben Gabriel (Kano Pillars, Nigeria); Rabiu Ibrahim (Celtic FC, Scotland)

Forwards: Ahmed Musa (CSKA Moscow, Russia); Emmanuel Emenike (Spartak Moscow, Russia); Brown Ideye (Dynamo Kyiv, Ukraine); Victor Moses (Chelsea FC, England); Uche Kalu (Rizespor, Turkey); Bright Dike (Portland Timbers, USA); Shola Ameobi (Newcastle FC, England); Ikechukwu Uche (Villarreal FC, Spain); Ejike Uzoenyi (Enugu Rangers, Nigeria); Sunday Mba (Enugu Rangers, Nigeria)