The comeback of Israel-based defender Efe Ambrose, who was close to quitting two years ago after a heart scare, will be complete when he is handed a surprise call-up by Nigeria this week.

MTNFootball.com has reliably gathered that the former Kaduna United star will be picked by Samson Siasia for the March 27 Nations Cup qualifying match against Ethiopia in Abuja.

Ambrose, who can play anywhere in defence as well as a defensive midfielder because of his great technique, was close to missing out on the Beijing Olympics after a routine medical in Abuja first revealed that he was suffering from a serious heart ailment.

However, a second test would give him a clean bill of health which allowed him to travel to Beijing with coach Siasia.

Ambrose, 22, has since made the most of a summer switch to Israeli club FC Ashdod.
Such have been the stirring performances of this versatile defensive player in Israel that Siasia was open to visit Ambrose to see things for himself, but he could not do so eventually because the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) could not come up with the cash for the trip.

Siasia has been most impressed by the big engine of the player, describing him as a “workaholic”.
Ashdod, coached by former England international John Gregory, are 12th in the standings with 28 points from 25 matches this season.

Last season, they finished sixth in the Israeli top flight.