Keshi names squad for Amavubi qualifier

AMAVUBI will need to be at their very best if they are to upset Nigeria in the upcoming 2013 Africa Nations Cup qualifier. The Super Eagles will field a star-studded side in the February 29 match which will be played at Amahoro Stadium.

Saturday, February 18, 2012

AMAVUBI will need to be at their very best if they are to upset Nigeria in the upcoming 2013 Africa Nations Cup qualifier.The Super Eagles will field a star-studded side in the February 29 match which will be played at Amahoro Stadium.Some of the big names in the West African side include Yakubu Aiyegbeni, Ikechukwu Uche, Osaze Odemwingie, Sani Kaita, Dickson Etuhu and Taiye Taiwo.Yakubu, who scored for Blackburn Rovers in the English Premiership on his return to action after a three-match ban last weekend, remains Nigeria’s most prolific striker since Samson Siasia hung his international boots in 1999.The last time the teams met in Kigali, they drew 1-1 during a 2006 Fifa World Cup qualifier. Jimmy Gatete put Rwanda ahead only for Obafemi Martins to equalize for the Super Eagles.Stephen Keshi will head into the match with more confidence after his side’s 2-0 win over Liberia in a friendly match held on Tuesday.South African referee Daniel Bennett, who took charge of the 2012 Nations Cup semi-final between Zambia and Ghana will officiate the match.Super Eagles squadProfessionalsGoalkeeper: Vincent Enyeama (Lille, France)Defenders: Joseph Yobo (Fenerbahce, Turkey), Taiye Taiwo (QPR, England)Midfielders: Dickson Etuhu (Fulham, England), Sani Kaita (Tavriya, Ukraine), Joel Obi (Inter Milan, Italy), Victor Moses (Wigan, England)Strikers: Ikechukwu Uche (Granada, Spain), Osaze Odemwingie (West Brom, England) Yakubu Ayegbeni (Blackburn Rovers, England), Ahmed Musa (CSKA Moscow, Russia)Locally-based players:Chigozie Agbim, Godfrey Oboabona, Juwon Oshaniwa, Gabriel Reuben, Uche Ossai, Sunday Mba, Kalu Uche, Papa Idris, Henry Uche, Osasco Omamo, Obinna Nwachukwu, Izu Azuka, Ejike Uzoenyi, Sunday Emmanuel, Kabir Umar, Kingsley Salami, Uche Oguchi, Okemute Odah, Bartholomew Ibenegbu, Azubuike Egwueke.