From ROMANUS UGWU, Abuja
SUPER Eagles interim head coach, Samson Siasia, has told Nigerians that he would go into the AFCON qualifier against Egypt confident of victory if assurances he has received from Mikel Obi and other senior players are anything to go by.
Siasia who spoke yesterday in Abuja in a media parley said he has spoken extensively with Mikel, Kelechi Iheanacho and returnee Victor Moses and their words were to say the least very encouraging. “I have spoken to the players like Mikel, Moses, and Iheanacho among others and they gave me their words that they all want to play.
They have told me they are coming to play for me and that is the good thing to take into the match,” Siasia said. Continuing, the coach stated: “I made sure the players invited are the ones we know very well because we don’t have enough time. We have to only work on the tactics of how we want to play. We have to watch the videos/match clips to know their strong areas and weaknesses and translate that on how we are going to approach the game. For me, the home match is a must win whatever it takes us to do that. I need the support
of everybody.” Siasia why defending the list of players he called up and the inclusion of US based, Fanendo Adi said: “I don’t understand which ones are the regulars. As far as we are concern, there is no regular for now.
This is a new Sheriff in town and the ones we invited are the ones we feel are good enough. As for Adi, we have watched his tape and seen that he is scoring goals. We invited players ready to give us 120 per cent. The important thing is for people coming to show me that they want to play. We want to see dedicated players. Since somebody just chickened out we have to encourage these ones coming to do well. I have strong confidence that we will win on that day.”
…Coach picks uncapped Adi, Aminu for cracker
NIGERIA caretaker coach Samson Siasia has picked uncapped Fanendo Adi, Umar Aminu and Stanley Amuzie, while Victor Moses and Aaron Samuel have been recalled for this month’s AFCON qualifiers against Egypt.
The 42-man squad has 22 players from the domestic league with 20 pros from abroad. Adi, 25, fired 19 goals last season for Portland Timbers to clinch a firstever MLS championship, while Aminu has been in superlative form for Turkish Super League club Osmanlispor and Portugalbased defender Amuzie has bounced back after a long-term knee injury he suffered early last year on duty with the Nigeria U-23 team.
THE SQUAD: Goalkeepers: Carl Ikeme (Wolverhampton Wanderers/England), Daniel Akpeyi (Chippa United/South Africa), Ikechukwu Ezenwa (Sunshine Stars), Emmanuel Daniel (Enugu Rangers), Olufemi Thomas (Enyimba) Defenders: Ambrose Efe (Celtic/Scotland), Shehu Abdullahi (Uniao da Madeira/Portugal), Elderson Echiejile (AS Monaco/France), Stanley Amuzie (Portugal), Godfrey Oboabona (Rizespor/Turkey), Kenneth Omeruo (Kasimpasa/Turkey) Orji Kalu (Enugu Rangers), Chibuzor Okonkwo (FC IfeanyiUbah), Austin Obaroakpo (Abia Warriors), Oke Ogogatewho (Warri Wolves), Sincere Seth (Supreme Court FC), Segun Oduduwa (Nath Boys), Chima Akas (Akwa United), Chris Madaki (Kano Pillars), Etim Matthew (Enugu Rangers). Midfielders: Onazi Ogenyi (Lazio/Italy), Mikel Obi (Chelsea/England), Azubuike Okechukwu (Yeni Malatyaspor, Turkey), Ifeanyi Mathew (Kano Pillars), Usman Mohammed (Uniao da Madeira/Portugal), Etebo Oghenekaro (Warri Wolves), Stanley Dimgba (Sunshine Stars), Yau Hassan (FC Taraba) Forwards: Ahmed Musa, Aaron Samuel (CSKA Moscow/Russia), Moses Simon (Gent/ Belgium), Victor Moses (West Ham/England), Odion Ighalo (Watford/England), Alex Iwobi (Arsenal/England), Umar Aminu (Osmalispor/Turkey), Fenando Adi (Portland Timbers/ USA), Ezekiel Bassey (Enyimba), Prince Aggreh (Kano Pillars), Bright Onyedikachi (FC IfeanyiUbah), Chikatara Chisom (Wydad Casabalanca/Morocco) and Godwin Obaje (Wikki Tourists), Kelechi Iheanacho (Manchester City/England)