Shola called up for Nigeria.

http://www.kickoff.com/news/31204/n...has-been-handed-a-first-time-nigeria-call-up-

Newcastle striker Shola Ameobi has been handed a first time Nigeria call-up by coach Stephen Keshi.

Ameobi was cleared to play for Nigeria last year alongside Victor Moses, but has missed out so far mostly due to injury.

The 31-year-old is one of 11 Europe-based players named by the Nigeria coach for a friendly match against Venezuela next week in Miami, Florida.

Ameobi, cleared to play for Nigeria last year alongside Victor Moses after a long-drawn process, gets his first call and battles for a place upfront with Moses, Ukraine-based Brown Ideye, Martins and a trio of home boys.

The 11 will join 26 professionals from the domestic league who have been battling it out in camp in Abuja since Sunday, from among whom 15 will be picked for the trip to America.

Wednesday's match at Marlins Park is one of a number of games meant to prepare the two-time African champions for the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations finals in South Africa, starting on January 19.

Israel-based goalkeeper Austin Ejide, a 10-year veteran, tops the list that also includes 2010 World Cup star Obafemi Martins.

Surprise call-up is former junior international defender Apam Onyekachi, back from injury at Nice FC of France, with Portugal-based defender Elderson Echiejile also heading to America.

Chelsea FC of England star and Nigeria's only last-man standing in the Africa Player of the Year race, Mikel Obi tops a midfield cast that includes former junior international Raheem Lawal, Ogenyi Eddy Onazi and Nosa Igiebor.

ALL THE FOREIGN-BASED PROS:

Goalkeeper: Austin Ejide (Hapoel Be'er Sheva, Israel)

Defenders: Elderson Echiejile (FC Braga, Portugal); Apam Onyekachi (Nice FC, France)

Midfielders: John Mikel Obi (Chelsea FC, England); Nosa Igiebor (Real Betis, Spain); Ogenyi Onazi (SS Lazio, Italy); Raheem Lawal (Adana Demirspor, Turkey)

Forwards: Brown Ideye (Dynamo Kyiv, Ukraine); Victor Moses (Chelsea FC, England); Shola Ameobi (Newcastle United, England); Obafemi Martins (Levante FC, Spain)

 

It would be good to see Shola get an International cap, and at 31 he isn't going to get too many.

 

This does not bode well for ACON. Add a striker to our needs for the new year along with centre back and left back.

 

my thoughts exactly.
Shola out of the picture along with Tiote isn't good for us.
Can't blame the lad for grabbing an international chance though.
If I were in his position I'd do exactly the same.

 

Fair enough, he could go for to the next world cup if he stays fit. Imagine if Senegal had qualified

 

I seen on Twittor that Danny Simpson is being courted for the Jamaica squad with a few other Premiership players. Anybody reckon this may be the last straw for Simmo in our squad?

 

I'm not sure why it would be. We don't have race-related issues within our squad, unlike some other teams

 

It says Shola's first call up but I'm sure he was called up just before he had his cheek bone broken in 2010/11

 

No Odemwingie for Nigeria? Or am I being completely stupid and forgetting he plays for another country?

 

I was referring more to the fact of the long distance games he would have to play. When rumours of him leaving are already rift, why not get rid and get another UK based RB or even European. That was all

 

I'm putting a tenner on Nigeria to make the semis of the next World Cup now.

I think it's a great opportunity for Shola to taste the international highlife, even if it's just for the twilight of his career.

Simpson for Jamaica is a different story though, he must surely still hold some ambition with England and given he feels he is too good for us, I can't see him settling for Jamaica (no offense) when the door hasn't closed for England yet.

 

Hi modface. How you doing man?

 

I think he got banned from playing with Nigeria or something. For having an opinion or something.

 

Odemwingie and Nigeria is a bit confused, with many under the impression that he had at one time refused to play for them. More recently it was thought that he had retired from International football, but it now appears that he wants to go to the ACoN. So it's anybodies guess.

 

Good Luck to Shola i hope it goes well for him but yes it does leave us looking short in January up front and in CM not to mention our aims to sign a CB and a full back (left or right). Cant see us signing 4 in january so it will be interesting to see what happens. As for Full Back i agree we need a good new one but would like Simmo to sign on to stay as well to give us a better all round squad.

 

I'm not sure why you think Danny thinks he's too good for us?? Bizarre. He wants a new contract, the board disagree on what that contract should be, its no more complicated than that. They might be low balling him, he might be being greedy. Who knows, certainly not any of us.

He has no hope with England and would do well to take Jamaica's offer. The likes of Walker (for all his terrible form), Johnson, Richards and Jenkinson are all well ahead of him. It'll never happen with England for Simpson, he has lost too much ground now. Certainly not something which should be held against him if he did choose Jamaica. Like Shola or any other player you just have to be happy they are getting a chance to play at the level.

Plus he'll get regular trips to Jamaica out of it! Seems a no brainer.

 

Wise words once again WP.

 

Point taken Pouch, I think I may have gotten caught up in the villainisation of him.

Can't complain too much I guess, I might be losing my job (I find out tomorrow) for 'gross misconduct' after sending a prank letter using company mail.

Heavy days but I still have my health I guess. How's yourself?

 

If sholas gonna be away in january, it could be why there's been a lot of talk about xisco working hard in training and in the squad for tonight's match!! There just gonna replace Shola with him if he goes to the tournament,

 

No certainty that shola will go to ACON. Might be getting a call up just so they can have a look at him. Might not fancy him after that. Time will tell.