Nations Cup: Keshi to announce list on Christmas day

Nigeria coach Stephen Keshi has disclosed his list of foreign-based pros will be made public on Christmas day.

However, Keshi on Wednesday in Abuja gave away some of the professionals who will be on that list when he said Russia-based strikers Ahmed Musa and Emmanuel Emenike as well as Ogenyi Onazi will be in camp in Portugal on December 29.

Keshi also said Ukraine-based striker Brown Ideye will also join up with the rest of the squad on the same day.

Eagle’s coach, Keshi

He also mentioned Newcastle United striker Shola Ameobi and Bright Dike, who is based in the United States, as players who have impressed him to earn a call-up for the Nations Cup. He said he expects at least 11 of the foreign-based players mainly from Scandinavia and Eastern Europe in Portugal on this day.

However, he confirmed that Inter Milan midfielder Joel Obi will not be involved in the Nations Cup in South Africa on account of a muscle injury.

“Joel Obi is out and we will miss him,” lamented Keshi.

The Eagles coach heaped praise on Kano Pillars defensive midfielder Gabriel Reuben, who has returned to full fitness after a long-term groin complaint, which kept him out of recent games involving the national team.

“Reuben has been great. He has been showing us that we missed him in the Eagles. He has been climbing in training and with his form, he can only get better,” Keshi declared.