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Shola Ameobi delighted with Nigeria debut

Shola Ameobi is still celebrating his international debut for Nigeria in the 3-1 win against Venezuela in Florida on Thursday.

The player who was thrown into the fray in the second-half by Coach Stephen was pleased to have made the step up to international football.

"It's my first game, I just feel honoured to play international football."

Ameobi earned special praises from fans and officials after helping set-up the third goal. He calmly held-up play before finding Lazio youngster Onazi Ogenyi, who completed the scoring in stoppage time.

The 31-year-old insists he has nothing but respect for his team-mates.

“This game will prepare us for what to expect at the Nations Cup. We played good and made life hard for them," he said.

"It was nothing personal, we fought hard and gave our everything.

"They had great support here but we took the game to them. The lads were superb and I'm delighted to have contributed to a good win." He also said.

Martins Vows To Up His Game, Onazi Vows Afcon Spot

Levante of Spain striker, Obafemi Martins may not have impressed or even scored in the friendly against Venezuela, but he’s thinking of doing that when he returns to the team soonest, even as Head Coach Stephen Keshi assured that he would be given a second chance when camp opens for the Afcon 2013 preparations.

Martins said after the game that he wanted to score on the night but the goals simply did not come.

“But I will be back and better when we return to camp, I know what I can do and I’m sure the coach will give me the opportunity to prove myself.’’

Also speaking, Lazio of Italy midfield sensation Ogenyi Onazi, who scored the team’s third goal, has vowed to grab a shirt ahead of the Nations Cup.

“I’m happy at the manner the coach has been given me opportunity and I can assure Nigerians that I will be part of the team that will bring the Nations Cup to the country next year”, the former My People FC star declared.

Eagles Nations Cup Camp Open Dec 17, Pros Get January 4 Deadline

December 17, has tentatively been chosen as the day camp will open in Abuja to kick-start preparations for the Nations Cup in South Africa. Keshi said in Miami, that the camp will open with home based professional players, while their foreign based counterparts are expected to join up with the rest of the squad in Faro, Portugal between January 3 -4.

“We need to work together for at least two weeks and after that we should have a strong squad that can challenge any team in the world that is why we want everybody in camp by January 4th at the latest.”

Keshi is presently holidaying with his family in the United States and returns to the country in the second week of December.  Meanwhile the Super Eagles are scheduled to return to the country on Friday evening through the Murtala Mohammed Airport, Lagos via Delta Airlines

Igiebor’s Wonder Goal Excites Keshi

Super Eagles Head Coach, Stephen Keshi was in his boisterous best at the end of the friendly encounter between his team and the Venezuelan national team, which was won 3-1, by the Nigerians.

Speaking at the post match conference, Keshi said he was simply excited by the performance of his players especially the newcomers to the team.

“But look at that goal by Nosa Igiebor, it was a television goal and I was excited when it came, it shows we can do great things if we psyche ourselves up very well.”

At half time, I told them, put the ball on the ground and play quick and the goals will come and I was not surprised that once they did that the goals started to come. Like I will always say, its still work in progress and we can only get better”, he said.