Excitement as Ike Uche returns to Nigeria squad...Set for Afcon qualifiers

Uche

Nigeria has recalled Ikechukwu Uche to their squad ahead of next month's pair of Africa Cup of Nations qualifying matches against Congo and South Africa amid excitement.

Coach Stephen Keshi, who returns to his job after being edged out two weeks ago, is going to work with the Villareal striker almost two years after they parted ways following breakdown in relations.

Uche was conspicuously the best Nigeria striker in Europe last season but was ignored as Keshi opted for other strikers during the Super Eagles' World Cup campaign.

Keshi's return to the job is due to board room politics as the country's leader waded in during the week to ensure factions in the Nigeria Football Federation sheathed their swords to avoid earning Fifa's ire.

52-year-old Keshi, the country's most successful local coach, has come under intense criticisms for his handling of player invitations and his relations with NFF top brass who described him as increasingly difficult to handle.

After his contract ran out at the end of the World Cup, he was brought back to work in an interim role by the sports minister while elections were held for a new board that would negotiate terms for a new contract.

However, his team lost two of their four matches in the Afcon qualifiers, won one and drew the other and need to win their last two in order to qualify for Morocco 2015.

He was asked to leave a day after their 3-1 victory over Sudan in Abuja while former coach Amodu Shaibu was asked to step in and see through the remaining matches.

Justifying the return of Keshi, the NFF stated that Amodu wrote a letter asking for Keshi to continue in the job while he would assist in his bigger role as technical adviser to the federation.

Keshi also recalled Sunshine Stars' Solomon Kwambe and handed a first call up to Dolphins' Emem Eduok and Tony Edjomari of Nasarawa United.

Nigeria travel to face Congo in Pointe Noire on November 14 before concluding with a home tie against South Africa on November 19.

Full Squad

Goalkeepers: Vincent Enyeama (Lille OSC, France); Austin Ejide (Hapoel Be’er Sheva, Israel); Chigozie Agbim (Gombe United, Nigeria)

Defenders: Elderson Echiejile (Monaco FC, France); Juwon Oshaniwa (Ashdod FC, Israel); Efe Ambrose (Celtic FC, Scotland); Solomon Kwambe (Sunshine Stars, Nigeria); Godfrey Oboabona (Rizespor FC, Turkey); Kenneth Omeruo (Middlesbrough FC, England); Azubuike Egwuekwe (Warri Wolves, Nigeria)

Midfielders: John Mikel Obi (Chelsea FC, England); Ogenyi Onazi (SS Lazio, Italy); Hope Akpan (Reading FC, England); Raheem Lawal (Eskisehirspor FC, Turkey); Omatsone Aluko (Hull City, England); Tony Edjomari (Nasarawa United, Nigeria)

Forwards: Ahmed Musa (CSKA Moscow, Russia); Emmanuel Emenike (Fenerbahce FC, Turkey); Gbolahan Salami (Warri Wolves, Nigeria); Osaguona Ighodaro (Enugu Rangers, Nigeria); Ikechukwu Uche (Villareal FC, Spain); Aaron Samuel (Guangzhou R&F, China); Sunday Emmanuel (SV Scholz Grodig, Austria); Babatunde Michael (Volyn Lutsk, Ukraine): Emem Eduok (Dolphins FC, Nigeria)

Goal.com