The Sun News On-line

Nigeria, this weekend, welcomes Italian-based midfielder, Christian Obodo back to the Super Eagles when the team host South Africa in their opening game of the 2010 World Cup qualifier in Abuja.

The encounter also marks a full return for Coach Shaibu Amodu to the team’s helm of affairs. His side had a warm-up against Austria in Graz on Tuesday preparatory for the home encounter in Abuja.

Obodo, a defensive midfielder from Italy’s Udinese, had to sit out of the MTN Africa Cup of Nations in Ghana earlier this year because of injury.

Amodu picked most of his squad from the team that played in Ghana, where the Super Eagles were knocked out in the quarterfinals, which led to the departure of the team’s German coach Berti Vogts.
There is also a chance for a first full cap for teenage sensation, Everton’s striker, Victor Anichebe, who has previously appeared for the Under-23 side in a qualifying competition for the Olympic Games in Beijing, billed for August.

Eagles’ team list
GOALKEEPERS:
Dele Aiyenugba (Bnei Yehuda, Israel),
Vincent Enyeama (Hapoel Tel Aviv, Israel),
Greg Etafia (Moroka Swallows, South Africa)

DEFENDERS:
Onyekachi Apam (Nice, France),
Elderson Echiejile (Stade Rennes, France),
Yusuf Mohamed (Al Hilal, Sudan),
Obinna Nwaneri (FC Sion, Switzerland),
Taye Taiwo (Olympique Marseille, France),
Joseph Yobo (Everton, England).

MIDFIELDERS:
Uche Kalu (Almeira, Spain),
Haruna Lukman (Monaco, France),
John Obi Mikel (Chelsea, England),
Chris Obodo (Udinese, Italy),
Ike Uche (Getafe, Spain),
John Utaka (Portsmouth, England).

STRIKERS:
Yakubu Aiyegbeni (Everton, England),
Victor Anichebe (Everton, England),
Nwankwo Kanu (Portsmouth, England),
Obinna Nsofor (Chievo Verona, Italy),
Kayode Odejayi (Watford, England),
Peter Odemwingie (Lokomotiv Moscow, Russia),
Emmanuel Okoduwa (Germinal Beerschot, Belgium).