Int'l Friendlies: Amokachi Takes Over From Keshi

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) appears to have finally parted ways with out-of-favor Super Eagles manager, Stephen Keshi as it was Keshi’s assistant, Dan Amokachi that yesterday called up players that are to prosecute two international friendly matches early next year.

The NFF in a release made available to Daily Sunsports disclosed that Amokachi had invited 24 players to camp ahead of the friendlies against Cote d’Ivoire and Mali in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. The two matches come up on the 9th and 13th of January.

Cote d’Ivoire and Mali are using the matches to prepare for the AFCON 2015 tournament in Equatorial Guinea. Keshi’s Eagles failed to qualify for the tournament in spite of being drawn into a weak group that had South Africa, Congo and Sudan as their opponents.

NFF General Secretary, Barrister Musa Amadu, while confirming the two matches stated that the soccer federation was determined to keep the Eagles busy in 2015.

“We are working round the clock to make sure that the Super Eagles will have opponents for all the FIFA windows available in year 2015, and we are happy that the two games with the Ivorians and the Malians are sealed,” Amadu stated, adding: “Already, Assistant Coach Daniel Amokachi has drawn a list of 24 players who will do battle for shirts for the two matches.”

Gombe United goalkeeper Chigozie Agbim leads the invitees, with Azubuike Egwuekwe, Kwambe Solomon, Umar Zango, Rabiu Ali, Emem Eduok, Kingsley Sokari, Mfon Udoh, Gbolahan Salami and Gambo Muhammad also called.

Players are expected to report at the Bolton White Apartments, Abuja on Sunday, 28th December with their international passports and four passport photographs.

See the full list of invited players;

Goalkeepers

Chigozie Agbim (Gombe United);

Daniel Akpeyi (Warri Wolves);

Theophilus Afelokhai (Kano Pillars)

Defenders

Solomon Kwambe (Sunshine Stars);

Idris Aloma (El-Kanemi FC);

Chimma Akas (Sharks FC);

Nelson Ogbonna (Heartland FC);

Azubuike Egwuekwe (Warri Wolves);

Erhun Obanor (Bendel Insurance);