AllNigeriaSoccer Special: Which 23 Players Will Be On The Plane To South Africa?

With less than 48 hours before Eagles gaffer Stephen Keshi unveils his 23 - man roster for the African Cup of Nations, allnigeriasoccer.com picks the players likely to be on the plane to South Africa.

Goalkeepers
Vincent Enyeama
Age:30
Caps:69
Chances of being on the plane: 10/10 - The experienced Maccabi Tel Aviv custodian is a sure banker for the trip to South Africa. Has kept four clean-sheets in the current campaign. Despite question marks regarding his performances in the recent matches played by the Eagles, he is expected to start the tournament in goal.

Austin Ejide
Age:28
Caps:23
Chances of being on the plane: 10 - The Press have been kind to Ejide with their recent remarks, especially with his performance against Venezuela and the penalty save against  Hapoel Ramat Gan in a cup game. But we can reveal Ejide's form has been patchy since the season started in Israel. Has conceded 12 goals in his last 7 matches in the championship. Definitely on the plane to South Africa, where he is expected to act as back up to Vincent Enyeama.

Chigozie Agbim
Age: 28
Caps: 1
Chances of being on the plane: 8- Showed composure and leadership qualities in the last friendly against the Catalonian. selection. Will make the 23 - man squad to South Africa.

Daniel Akpeyi
Age: 26
Caps: Nil
Chances of being on the plane: 3 - Unfortunately fails to make the squad to South Africa due to his inexperience at international level. Coach Stephen Keshi never gave him a chance to prove his credentials. And the Cape Verde friendly is coming too late.

Defenders
Joseph Yobo
Age: 32
Caps: 89
Chances of being on the plane: 10: There are doubts surrounding his full fitness. Nonetheless, the Eagles skipper should be the first name on the list when defenders are penciled down by the selectors. This should be his last appearance for Nigeria in a major tournament. Would be a perfect icing on the cake if the Eagles lift the trophy on February 10.

Efe Ambrose
Age: 24
Caps: 16
Chances of being on the plane: 10: Ambrose has grown by leaps and bounds since his move to Scotland powerhouse Glasgow Celtic last summer. Versatile defender who could start the Eagles first game against Burkina Faso on January 21 at right back.

Juwon Oshaniwa
Age: 22
Caps: 8
Chances of being on the plane: 5: May be an unpopular decision, but the right one! Has not impressed in the few games he's started in a green and white jersey. He's very likely to get chopped off by Keshi. His omission from recent games played by Nigeria is a warning signal that he was called to Faro as a training material.

Godfrey Oboabona
Age: 22
Caps: 9
Chances of being on the plane: 8: Modern day defender who can cover several roles at the back. Should be on the plane to South Africa where he will act as understudy to Joseph Yobo in the tournament.

Azubuike Egwuekwe
Age: 23
Caps: 10
Chances of being on the plane: 10 - Versatile player that can play at left back and in defensive midfield. His performances for the Eagles have been flawless. Expected to partner Yobo in central defense.

Elderson Echiejile
Age: 24
Caps: 19
Chances of being on the plane: 10: The Sporting Braga fullback is expected to be one of the important players for Nigeria in this tournament having had the experience of playing at the 2010 World Cup and Afcon.

Solomon Kwambe
Age: 19
Caps: 2
Chances of being on the plane: 3: Yet to play a competitive match for the Super Eagles, inexperience has cost him a place in the squad. On top of that, he is not versatile enough to be considered for selection. Ambrose, Yobo, Oboabona, Ogude and Omeruo can also play at right full back.

Kenneth Omeruo
Age: 19
Caps: Nil
Chances of being on the plane: 8 - One of the rising stars of Nigeria football. Expected to be a mainstay in the Super Eagles for more than 10 years as he is still a teenager. Tipped to be named as Keshi's 'Theo Walcott selection'.

Benjamin Francis
Age: 18
Caps: 1
Chances of being on the plane:  7 - The youngster is expected to get Keshi’s nod ahead of Juwon Oshaniwa.  Showed flashes of brilliance against Catalonia early this month.

Papa Idris
Age: 23
Caps: 4
Chances of being on the plane: 3 – The Nations Cup may have come too quick for the player who is just returning from injury. Not going to South Africa.

Midfielders
Mikel Obi
Age: 25
Caps:  38
Chances of being on the plane: 10 – Whether fully fit or not, Mikel will go to the Nations Cup even with one leg.  With the perceived lack of experience in midfield, the Chelsea ace should up his game  and show why he’s a world class player in South Africa.

Nosa Igiebor
Age: 22
Caps: 5
Chances of being on the plane: 10 -  Another sure banker for the trip. This will make up for the disappointment of missing the African Under 23 championship two winters ago.  Igiebor desperately wanted to play in Morocco and embarked on a media campaign in the Israeli media…..but this story is for another day.  The Real Betis midfielder is a committed player, ready to work his socks off for the national team cause. 

Gabriel Reuben
Age: 22
Caps: 9
Chances of being on the plane: 5 – The standout player in the domestic championship.  Has fitness concerns and won’t be going to South Africa!

Eddy Onazi
Age: 20
Caps: 2
Chances of being on the plane: 8– On the plane. A modern day midfielder, can play several roles in midfield – central, defensive, right and attacking midfield.  That puts him ahead of his competitors battling for places in midfield.  Expected to be used as an impact substitute by Keshi  in South Africa.

Raheem Lawal
Age:22
Caps: 3
Chances of being on the plane: 5: - Lawal is  the weakest link in the Eagles midfield. Making the 32 – man roster is already a plus to his CV.  Not going to South Africa.

Obiora Nwankwo
Age: 21
Caps: 6
Chances of being on the plane: 8: You don’t play in a competition as glamorous as the Champions League for Inter Milan by accident. In this relative inexperienced squad, you can bet Obiora won’t suffer stage fright.On the plane.

Fegor Ogude
Age: 25
Caps: 8
Chances of being on the plane: 9 - His versatility puts him ahead of Raheem Lawal in Keshi’s pecking order of central midfielders.   In addition, can play as makeshift right back. Very important in a tournament of this magnitude where overzealous officials can brandish red cards.

Sunday Mba
Age: 24
Caps: 4
Chances of being on the plane: 7 –  Has an impressive ratio of goals for the National Team. Should be on the plane to South Africa.

Rabiu Ibrahim
Age: 21
Caps: Nil
Chances of being on the plane: 9 – Once hailed as the New Jay Jay Okocha. While he has the technical and dribbling abilities of the former Bolton star, the wide range of passing which Okocha possesses is absent in Rabiu’s game. But he will go to South Africa, and don’t ask me how he made it.

Henry Uche
Age: 22
Caps: 7
Chances of being on the plane: 3 – Uche won’t be going to South Africa. So many players ahead of him in the pecking order in his favored position.

Forwards
Ahmed Musa
Age: 20
Caps: 17
Chances of being on the plane: 10 – A certainty on the plane.  Will be one of the stars of the tournament.

Emmanuel Emenike
Age : 25
Caps: 9
Chances of being on the plane: 9 – These days the Nigerian attack is tailored after the English system, where there is  the presence of a physical striker to wear down the defense.  The Spartak Moscow front man has excellent physical presence to trouble African opposition.

Brown Ideye
Age: 24
Caps: 5
Chances of being on the plane: 7 – Ideye has been more prolific for club than country. Including the Under 21 squad, has scored only once in his last 10 games for the national teams. Will go to South Africa based on his club form and is seen as a big game player.

Uche Kalu
Age: 26
Caps: 3
Chances of being on the plane: 1 – Not fully fit and would be a major risk if he’s taken to South Africa. Rizespor want him back in Turkey for proper medical attention.

Victor Moses
Age: 22
Caps: 6
Chances of being on the plane: 10 – If he does not make the trip to South Africa, then the Eagles have no business travelling to South Africa for the competition.

Bright Dike
Age: 25
Caps: 1
Chances of being on the plane: 8 – The last 12 months have been magical for the Portland Timber striker. Sometime last year, Bright was playing in United States’ third tier. All doubts about  his ability were put to rest following a fine performance against Catalonia. This is a story for Nollywood.

Ejike Uzoenyi
Age: 24
Caps:7
Chances of being on the plane: 5– Another interesting decision by the coaches. May be a luxury taking two left wingers for the competition. Thus Chrisantus misses the cut.

Ikechukwu Uche
Age: 29
Caps: 40
Chances of being on the plane: 10– Nigeria’s most potent threat in attack statistically. Has netted 9 goals in his last 10 appearances for the Super Eagles. Must have an eye on the African Cup of Nations golden boot. On the plane.

Allnigeriasoccer 23 Man Super Eagles Squad to South Africa
Goalkeepers: Vincent Enyeama (MaccabiTel Aviv, Israel), Austin Ejide (Hapoel Be’er Sheva, Israel), Chigozie Agbim (Warri Wolves)

Defenders:  Joseph Yobo (Fenerbahçe), Efe Ambrose (Glasgow Celtic), Godfrey Oboabona(Sunshine Stars), Elderson Echiejile (Sporting Braga, Portugal) Benjamin Francis (Heartland), Azubuike Egwuekwe (Warri Wolves) Kenneth Omeruo (Ado Den Haag, Netherlands)

Midfielders: John Obi Mikel (Chelsea), Nosa Igiebor (Real Betis, Spain), Eddy Onazi (Lazio), Obiora Nwankwo (Padova, Italy), Fegor Ogude (Valerenga, Norway) Rabiu Ibrahim(Kilmarnock) Sunday Mba (Warri Wolves)


Attackers: Ahmed Musa (CSKA Moscow, Russia), Emmanuel Emenike (Spartak Moscow, Russia), Brown Ideye (Dynamo Kiev, Ukraine), Victor Moses (Chelsea) Bright Dike (Portland Timber, USA) Ike Uche (Villarreal, Spain)


Photo Credit: capitaleritrea.com