Nigerian stars set to light up 2014 CHAN
But Coach, Stephen Keshi, who has been at the headship of reviving the Nigerian football, has picked the ticket for the country, and the profiles of the 23 young lads who are set to give the country another glorious outing in South Africa. Chigozie AgbimChigozie Agbim is a Nigerian goalkeeper who plays for Enugu Rangers […]
But Coach, Stephen Keshi, who has been at the headship of reviving the Nigerian football, has picked the ticket for the country, and the profiles of the 23 young lads who are set to give the country another glorious outing in South Africa.
Chigozie Agbim
Chigozie Agbim is a Nigerian goalkeeper who plays for Enugu Rangers in the Nigerian Premier League. He also played for Court of Appeal FC, Gombe United, Al-Merreik of Sudan and NPA FC.
He made his international debut in a friendly versus Angola in January 2012. He was called up to Nigeria’s 23-man squad for the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations.
After a protracted transfer dispute, he joined Enugu Rangers from Warri Wolves F.C. in April 2013 for a fee of eight million naira (approx €39,300). He was selected for Nigeria’s squad at the 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup.
Daniel Akpeyi
Daniel Akpeyi was born on August 3, 1986 in Nnewi is a Nigerian footballer. He currently plays for Heartland F.C. in Nigeria.
He began his career by Gabros International F.C. and was promoted to first team in 2005, before he transferred in January 2007 to Nasarawa United F.C.. He joined Heartland F.C. for their 2010 CAF Champions League campaign. He was a member of the Nigeria national under-20 football team at 2005 FIFA World Youth Championship in Netherlands and was in the 22-man squad before the Beijing 2008 Summer Olympics but did not see action in either tournament.
Dele Alampasu
Dele Alampasu was the first choice goalkeeper of the all-conquering Golden Eaglets that won the 2013 FIFA U-17 World Cup in the United Arab Emirates.
After a brilliant performance during at the tournament, Alampasu was voted best goalkeeper of the tournament.
The 16-year-old player who is of Togolese descent said he has learnt a lot from the FIFA Under-17 World Cup and that was why he upped his game after a poor showing in the Eaglets 3-3 draw with Sweden during a group game.
In the final against Mexico, he pulled daring saves to keep the a clean slate, this include a header, which has goal written on it. Alampasu stretched backwards and plucked away the ball that was heading into the far corner, it was a save only a few goalkeepers in the world can pull off. Former national team keeper and assistant coach of the Super Eagles, Joe Erico has tipped FIFA U-17 World Cup star to be the next Super Eagles keeper whenever high flying Vincent Enyeama make his exit.
Solomon Sesugh Kwambe
Solomon Sesugh Kwambe, born 30 September 1993 plays for Sunshine Stars F.C as a defender.
He made his debut for Nigeria versus Niger in a friendly game on 15 August 2012. He was selected for Nigeria’s squad at the 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup. He started his football career with the Mighty Junior in Gboko and later played for Plateau United FC of Jos. He has been capped three-time by Nigeria.
Azubuike Egwuekwe
Azubuike Emanuel Egwuekwe was born 16 July 1989 is a Nigerian international footballer who plays for Warri Wolves, as a defender.
Egwuekwe has played club football for Nasarawa United, Yerima Strikers and Warri Wolves. He made his international debut for Nigeria in 2012, and has appeared in FIFA World Cup qualifying matches. He was called up to Nigeria’s 23-man squad for the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations. He was selected for Nigeria’s squad at the 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup. He was named to Nigeria’s squad for the 2014 African Nations Championship.
Francis Benjamin
Francis Ishida Benjamin was born 8 May 1985 and plays for Heartland as a left-back. He had his debut in a friendly match against Niger on 15 August 2012. He was selected for Nigeria’s squad at the 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup. He has one cap for Nigeria.
Odunlami Kunle
Odunlami Kunle was born 5 March, 1990 and plays for Sunshine Stars of Akure in Nigeria. He is a strong central defender with good marking skills. He has shown he has the qualities to play at this level and seen by many to replace Godfrey Oboabona, who has moved to Turkey.
Bright Esieme
Bright Esieme was born on 8 October, 1992 and plays for current Nigeria FA Cup champions, Enyimba Football Club of Abba. He was instrumental to Enyimba’s FA Cup triumph, scoring a number of goals in the run up to the victory, and was voted the Most Valuable Player of the competition. The right full back was capped by Nigeria at international level during the country match against Jordan last year.
Erhun Obanor
The little known defender featured for COD of Lagos before he joined Insurance FC of Benin. He has a lion’s heart of an 18-year-old.
Ugonna Uzochukwu
Ugonna Uzochukwu is defensive midfielder who plays for Rangers International FC of Enugu. Standing at 1,72m, this 21 year was born on 11 March 1992. He featured in Nigeria’s international game on May 24, 2012 under Stephen Keshi against Peru.
Rabiu Ali
The 28-year old midfielder play for current Nigeria league champions Kano Pillars FC. There are no available records of his past football playing career, but he remains a key member of Kano side since joining the club a few years back and contributed immensely to the club winning the league title in the last two years.
Christian Pyagbara
Dumte Christian Pyagbara was born on 13 March, 1996. He currently plays for Sharks FC in the oil rich state of Rivers, in Port Harcourt, at 17 year, Pyagbara’s last international game was on 2 July, 2013, in the Nigeria U-20 game against Uruguay U-20 under erstwhile coach John Obu. He has played eight matches for Nigeria at the U-20 level and scored two goals.
Abdullahi Shehu
Abdullahi Shehu, who was born on 12 March, 1993, currently plays for Kano Pillars FC in Kano. The Super Eagles midfielder, played as a centre back for the national U-20 team, the Flying Eagles. He featured nine times for the intermediate national football team.
Joshua Obaje
Joshua Obaje plays for Warri Wolves in the top flight of the Nigeria football league. He was born on 01 April, 1990 in Owerri, Imo State. He also plays as a centre forward for his club.
Ejike Uzoenyi
Chrisantus Ejike Uzoenyi born 23 March 1988 plays for Enugu Rangers as a winger and played club football in Nigeria and France for Enyimba, Enugu Rangers and Rennes. He made his international debut for Nigeria in 2012, and has appeared in FIFA World Cup qualifying matches and a member of Nigeria’s 23-man squad that won the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations in South Africa early last year.
His brief stint in France with Rennes robbed him of a place in the squad that played at the 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup in Brazil.
Gbolahan Salami
Gbolahan Salami is a centre forward who plays for Shooting Stars of Ibadan in the Nigerian top flight football league, a club he joined since July 1, 2012. He was born 14 April, 1991, and has featured for Nigeria at U-20 and U-23 levels, playing seven matches in all. His last outing was on 2 December 2011 in the CAF U-23 Football Championship in Morocco, which served as a qualifier for the football event of the 2012 London Olympic Games.
Barnabas Imenger Jr.
Barnabas Imenger Jr. born 24 November 1991 is a forward who currently plays for Lobi Stars in the Nigeria Premier League. He is the son of former Super Eagles striker Barnabas Imenger. After beginning his career at Kwara United F.C, he signed with Swedish side Trelleborgs FF in August 2012 for a six-month contract. After his six months were up, he returned to Nigeria to play for Lobi Stars, the team where his father is a board member. He was called up by Coach Stephen Keshi for a new batch of Super Eagles in January 2012 and debuted in a 0-0 friendly against Angola. He also played in a 3-2 friendly loss to Egypt.
Obiozor Chinonso Christian
Obiozor Chinonso Christian is gangling striker who is skilful and business-like always. He scored couple of goals for Rangers last season. Despite his height, he is fast and strong. He made his full international debut against Jordan last year.
Ifeanyi Ede
Ifeanyi Ed plays for two-time CAF Champions League winners Enyimba FC of Aba. He was also a key player in the team’s FA Cup win last season in Nigeria. He has been in the club since 5 January, 2012.