Keshi denies pressure to invite Mikel

Super Eagles Coach Stephen Keshi has insisted he was not forced to recall John Mikel Obi to his team.

Chelsea midfielder Mikel is one of 15 foreign-based professionals called up for next month’s Africa Cup of Nations return leg qualifier against Liberia.

There has been a clamour by fans and officials alike for Mikel to return to the team, but Keshi maintained he alone took the decision to pick the player for the Liberia clash.

"I hear people say Mikel Obi was forced on me. That's not true. I speak to Mikel almost every day and he has declared his readiness to make the Liberia game,” Keshi said.

“He wants to play for his country and I hope he brings his best to the national team.”

Mikel has yet to play for the Eagles under Keshi, who replaced Samson Siasia in November.

Keshi has gone for a larger contingent of foreign-based players than previously and he said this is to ensure that Nigeria qualify for next year’s Nations Cup in South Africa.

"I increased the foreign-based players because we need all our best legs for the final game,” he defended.

“You know we have some players that must prove their fitness and as such we have enough to fill any space should it happen any of these players are not fit for the Calabar."

Kano Pillars pair of Gabriel Reuben and Papa idris as well as Joel Obi of Inter Milan have been picked after long-term injuries and Keshi said he wishes to ascertain their fitness levels.

"Gabriel Rueben and Papa Idris, I included them to ascertain their fitness level same goes for Joel Obi," he disclosed.

The 23 players from the Nigeria Premier League will resume training camp on Sunday in Abuja, while the foreign pros will join up in Calabar from October 8.

Below is the full list.

LIST OF HOME BASED PLAYERS

GOALKEEPERS

1. AGBIM CHIGOZIE                        -           WARRI WOLVES, NIGERIA

2. AKPEYI DANIEL                           -           HEARTLAND FC, NIGERIA

DEFENDERS

EGWUEKWE AZUBUIKE     -           WARRI WOLVES, NIGERIA

PAPA IDRIS                           -           KANO PILLARS, NIGERIA

OBOABONA GODFREY                  -           SUNSHINE STARS FC, NIGERIA

ZANGO UMAR                                  -           KANO PILLARS, NIGERIA

KWAMBE SOLOMON                     -           SUNSHINE STARS FC, NIGERIA

EZEKIEL BASSEY                 -           LOBI STARS FC, NIGERIA

KINGSLEY UDOH                -           HEARTLAND FC, NIGERIA

MIDFIELDERS AND FORWARDS

UZOENYI EJIKE                                -           RANGERS FC, NIGERIA

MBA SUNDAY                                  -           WARRI WOLVES FC, NIGERIA

GABRIEL REUBEN                -           KANO PILLARS FC, NIGERIA

HENRY UCHE                                   -           ENYIMBA FC, NIGERIA

CHRISTIAN OFILI                -           ABS KWARA, NIGERIA

JABASON SOLOMON                     -           AKWA UNITED FC, NIGERIA

SANUSI SANI                                    -           GOMBE UNITED FC, NIGERIA

PHILIP ASOQUO                  -           3SC FC, IBADAN, NIGERIA

IZU AZUKA                           -           SUNSHINE STARS FC, NIGERIA

BRENDON OGBU                 -           HEARTLAND FC, NIGERIA

ANTHONY OKPOTU                       -           LOBI STARS FC, NIGERIA

UBALE MANIR                                  -           KANO PILLARS FC, NIGERIA

OHANDUKU GOMO                        -           SHARKS FC, NIGERIA

FIDELIS FAVOUR                 -           NASARAWA UNITED, NIGERIA

2. LIST OF FOREIGN BASED PLAYERS

GOALKEEPERS

ENYEAMA VINCENT                       -           MACCABI TEL AVIV, ISRAEL

EJIDE AUSTINE                                 -           HAPOEL BE’ER SHEVA, ISRAEL

DEFENDERS

YOBO JOSEPH                                  -           FENERBAHCE FC, TURKEY

EFE AMBROSE                                  -           CELTIC FC, ISRAEL

ECHIEJILE ELDERSON                    -           FC BRAGA, PORTUGAL

MID FIELDERS AND FORWARDS

NOSA IGIEBOR                                 -           REAL BETIS, SPAIN

NWANKWO OBIORA                      -           CALCIO PADOVA FC, ITALY

MIKEL OBI                            -           CHELSEA FC, ENGLAND

JOEL OBI                               -           INTER MILAN FC, ITALY

VICTOR MOSES                  -           CHELSEA FC, ENGLAND

 AHMED MUSA                     -           CSKA MOSCOW, RUSSIA

 UCHE IKECHUKWU                       -           VILLARREAL FC, SPAIN

 EMENIKE EMMANUEL      -           SPARTAK MOSCOW, RUSSIA

 IDEYE BROWN                    -           DYNAMO KYIV, UKRAINE

 OGENYI ONAZI                   -           SS LAZIO, ITALY

Moses in Cloud 9

Victor Moses has declared that he is enjoying life at Chelsea after scoring his first goal for the club in last night’s 6 nil whitewash of Wolves in a League Cup match.

The Nigerian winger who joined the Blues from Wigan at the start of the season made one and scored another.

Seven minutes into the second half Oriol Romeu struck home a well-struck penalty after Moses was adjudged to have been fouled by De Vries and the impressive player headed home his first Chelsea goal and a sixth of the evening for the rampant home side.

Everything is going well at the moment, Moses tells the official Chelsea website. 'I'm enjoying life at the club. It's exciting for me to be back in London and playing for a massive club such as Chelsea, particularly as I'm a London boy, I'm just delighted to be here.

'It's a quality feeling to be playing alongside some of the most talented players in world football at the moment, and that's what you need around you. The more you play with these type of players, the more you improve and the more experience you gain.'

Azerbaijan Coach says Flamingoes are good for the trophy

Sissy Wright, coach of Azerbaijan Women's Under 17 Team, has poured superlatives on the Flamingoes after yesterday's 0 - 11 loss to Nigeria’s under-17 women’s team. The defeat means the hosts are technically out of the championship and their last group game against Canada is a mere formality.

She told reporters after the game: ''I congratulate the opponents.  Nigeria deserved to win, very strong team. I can not be happy for this result. But all saw my girls fought to the end. I am proud that despite the 0 - 7 in the first half, the girls did not give up and continued to play, I'm not going to blame the team. This team (Nigeria, ed) deserves the championship.''

Though Sissy Wright praised the fans for their support, she was disappointed at their behavior when the Flamingoes scored their eighth goal in the second half.

''Thank you for supporting Lankaran stands. Do not want to belittle the achievements of fans, but after the eighth goal of Nigeria, all were so happy, as if we scored. Then they started shouting Nigeria, Nigeria. I did not like it. "

Obi ready for Liberia

Inter Milan whiz kid, Joel Obi is staging a bold return to the Super Eagles after months out to injury.

The player who has not played an official game for the past four months due to a hamstring injury he suffered at the end of last season revealed in chat on our radio programme, Megasports on Star FM (runs 7am, Monday-Friday) that he looks forward to seeing the Eagles roast the Lone Star of Liberia in Calabar next as Nigeria attempts to qualify for the 2013 Afcon, after missing out of playing in Gabon/Equatorial Guinea 2012.

“I have started training already and hopefully would be in Nigeria to see to the downfall of Liberia if the coach send be an invitation. I have missed the national team so much that I can’t wait to wear our colours again.”

His agent Renzo Contratto has also seconded Obi’s claim to full wellness.,

''He's almost ready, we'll see him in a few days. Inter has handled his case admirably. Muscle injuries are difficult, and the Nerazzurri have done everything in the best way, without thinking of the date of return to the field, but put the player in a position to heal without hurry. "

Obasi returns

Chinedu Obasi could play his first game for Schalke 04 this season against Mainz tomorrow, the official website of the Bundesliga club has hinted. On Sunday, the Nigeria international had a running session without difficulties.

With Klaas-Jan Huntelaar questionable for the tie at the Veltins-Arena (Gelsenkirchen) , coach Huub Stevens may replace the Dutch forward with Obasi.

Obasi has not played for Schalke 04 this season after having surgery at the end of the 2011 - 2012 campaign.

Since joining The Royal Blues from Hoffenheim in the winter transfer market, the 26- year -old former Lyn Oso ace has scored one goal in ten appearances.