No - Not JD. Victor Anichebe is being lined up for a return to the Nigeria squad after an absence of five years following his sensational run of form for the Black Cats. The 28-year-old, whose last international appearance came in 2011, is set to be named by Super Eagles technical director Gernot Rohr for the friendlies with Ivory Coast and Senegal. Sunderland fans though need not worry about Anichebe being taken away from the Premier League survival battle for next year’s Africa Cup of Nations, Nigeria failed to qualify for the tournament in Gabon for the second year in a row. Nigeria are in top form though and lead Group B of the 2018 World Cup qualifying group with maximum points from two games after defeating Zambia and Algeria. Rohr is happy with the team's current form, but with Russia just 18 months from now, he is looking to strengthen his pool of players and his list includes Anichebe.A former England youth international, Anichebe switched allegiance and played his first game for Nigeria in 2008.He scored on his debut in a 2-0 win over South Africa to help the Super Eagles reach the 2008 Olympics and was then part of the squad that went on to win silver in Beijing. Read more at: http://www.sunderlandecho.com/sport...out-of-the-international-wilderness-1-8275742
The important bit should have been in bold Sunderland fans though need not worry about Anichebe being taken away from the Premier League survival battle for next year’s Africa Cup of Nations, Nigeria failed to qualify for the tournament in Gabon for the second year in a row.
Not good news at all in terms of him playing for Nigeria, I'd much rather he was like Defoe, performing brilliantly yet snubbed by his country giving him more time to rest and recover.
Balance that up with what it will do for his confidence. They haven't qualified for the AFCON Nigeria haven't got a game scheduled for 8 months. Highly unlikely that he'll be called up more than twice for the rest of the season. It could well be just the once.
read that a week a go mate it also said they want him for 2 friendlies in January. Sunderland want him to refuse
There are 2 friendlies mentioned but Nigeria don't have any competitive games until the world cup qualifiers next summer. I can't see any dates for those friendlies though.
I am happy with this, firstly for Big Vic who has worked his socks off to get fit and in the team and then to be a regular - but also for the club because it sends out a message that says "look what going to Sunderland did for Big Vic" which can only be helpful in the forthcoming transfer window. I might not have been so happy if Nigeria were in the ACON mind!
As my eatlier post response to RTB- I mistakenly thought Nigeria were in ACON -chuffed for Vic as long as he does'nt miss his employers games - KTF
