Nigeria: World Cup Player-by-Player Guide
Ed Dove@Eddydove
Contributor IIIMay 7, 2014Nigeria: World Cup Player-by-Player Guide
Nigeria were one of the first nations to release their preliminary squad for the 2014 World Cup. The Super Eagles have named an initial squad of 30 players, which will be whittled down to 23 in time for the tournament in Brazil.
National team coach Stephen Keshi included a few surprise selections in his provisional party and also closed the door on a number of players who have been squad regulars during the Big Boss's reign.
Dynamo Kyiv forward Ideye Brown has paid the price for his impotent attacking displays and has missed out. He and fellow striker Ikechukwu Uche are the most high-profile casualties of the squad that won the African Championship in early 2013.
Also absent are midfield pair John Ogu and Fegor Ogude, while long-term reserve right-back Solomon Kwambe will also be disappointed to have been overlooked.
Mooted recalls for experienced players such as Obafemi Martins, Taye Taiwo and Lukman Haruna never materialised.
Read on for player-by-player profiles of the Nigeria's 30-man preliminary World Cup squad.
Goalkeepers
Name: Vincent Enyeama
Date of Birth: 29/08/1982
Birthplace: Kaduna
Position: Goalkeeper
Caps: 89
Club: LOSC Lille (France)
Name: Chigozie Agbim
Date of Birth: 28/11/1984
Birthplace: Gombe
Position: Goalkeeper
Caps: 11
Club: Gombe United
Name: Austin Ejide
Date of Birth: 08/04/1984
Birthplace: Onitsha
Position: Goalkeeper
Caps: 31
Club: Hapoel Be'er Sheva (Israel)
Name: Daniel Akpeyi
Date of Birth: 03/08/1986
Birthplace: Nnewi
Position: Goalkeeper
Caps: 0
Club: Warri Wolves
Defenders
Name: Elderson Echiejile
Date of Birth: 20/01/1988
Birthplace: Benin City
Position: Left-back
Caps: 40
Club: AS Monaco (France)
Name: Efe Ambrose
Date of Birth: 18/10/1988
Birthplace: Kaduna
Position: Right-back, Centre-back
Caps: 34
Club: Celtic (Scotland)
Name: Godfrey Oboabona
Date of Birth: 16/08/1990
Birthplace: Akure
Position: Centre-back, Right-back
Caps: 34
Club: Rizespor (Turkey)
Name: Azubuike Egwuekwe
Date of Birth: 16/07/1989
Birthplace: Lafia
Position: Centre-back
Caps: 31
Club: Warri Wolves
Name: Kenneth Omeruo
Date of Birth: 17/10/1993
Birthplace: Aba
Position: Centre-back
Caps: 16
Club: Middlesbrough, on loan from Chelsea (both England)
Name: Juwon Oshaniwa
Date of Birth: 14/09/1990
Birthplace: Ilorin
Position: Left-back
Caps: 10
Club: Ashdod FC (Israel)
Name: Joseph Yobo
Date of Birth: 06/09/1980
Birthplace: Kono
Position: Centre-back
Caps: 94
Club: Norwich City (England), on loan from Fenerbahce (Turkey)
Name: Kunle Odunlami
Date of Birth: 05/03/1990
Position: Centre-back, Left-back
Caps: 8
Club: Sunshine Stars
Midfielders
Name: John Obi Mikel
Date of Birth: 22/04/1987
Birthplace: Jos
Position: Centre-midfield
Caps: 57
Club: Chelsea (England)
Name: Ramon Azeez
Date of Birth: 12/12/1992
Birthplace: Abuja
Position: Centre-midfield
Caps: 1
Club: Almeria FC (Spain)
Name: Ogenyi Onazi
Date of Birth: 25/12/1992
Birthplace: Jos
Position: Centre-midfield
Caps: 19
Club: SS Lazio (Italy)
Name: Joel Obi
Date of Birth: 22/05/1991
Birthplace: Lagos
Position: Versatile midfielder
Caps: 12
Club: Parma, on loan from Internazionale (both Italy)
Name: Nnamdi Oduamadi
Date of Birth: 17/10/1990
Birthplace: Lagos
Position: Versatile midfielder/forward
Caps: 12
Club: Varese, on loan from AC Milan (both Italy)
Name: Ejike Uzoenyi
Date of Birth: 23/03/1988
Birthplace: Enugu
Position: Left-winger
Caps: 20
Club: Enugu Rangers
Name: Nosa Igiebor
Date of Birth: 09/11/1990
Birthplace: Abuja
Position: Attacking Midfielder
Caps: 11
Club: Real Betis (Spain)
Name: Sunday Mba
Date of Birth: 28/11/1988
Birthplace: Aba
Position: Attacking Midfielder
Caps: 21
Club: CA Bastia (France)
Name: Reuben Gabriel
Date of Birth: 25/09/1990
Birthplace: Kaduna
Position: Defensive Midfielder
Caps: 10
Club: Waasland-Beveren (Belgium)
Name: Michel Babatunde
Date of Birth: 24/12/1992
Position: Left-winger
Caps: 2
Club: Volyn Lutsk (Ukraine)
Name: Ahmed Musa
Date of Birth: 14/10/1992
Birthplace: Jos
Position: Attacking Midfielder, Right-sided forward, Striker
Caps: 34
Club: CSKA Moscow (Russia)
Forwards
Name: Shola Ameobi
Date of Birth: 12/10/1981
Birthplace: Zaria
Position: Striker
Caps: 5
Club: Newcastle United (England)
Name: Emmanuel Emenike
Date of Birth: 10/05/1987
Birthplace: Otuocha
Position: Striker
Caps: 21
Club: Fenerbahce (Turkey)
Name: Victor Obinna
Date of Birth: 25/03/1987
Birthplace: Jos
Position: Versatile Forward
Caps: 48
Club: Chievo Verona (Italy)
Name: Peter Odemwingie
Date of Birth: 15/07/1981
Birthplace: Tashkent (Uzbekistan, then Soviet Union)
Position: Striker, Right-sided forward
Caps: 58
Club: Stoke City (England)
Name: Michael Uchebo
Date of Birth: 2/2/1990
Birthplace: Enugu
Position: Striker, Attacking Midfielder
Caps: 1
Club: Cercle Brugge (Belgium)
Name: Victor Moses
Date of Birth: 12/12/1990
Birthplace: Lagos
Position: Left-winger, Left-sided forward, Striker
Caps: 18
Club: Liverpool, on loan from Chelsea (both England)
Name: Uche Nwofor
Date of Birth: 17/09/1991
Birthplace: Lagos
Position: Striker
Caps: 4
Club: Heerenveen, on loan from VVV Venlo (both Holland)