opponentsMikel in his last action for the Eagles in the match against Tunisia in Abuja. Nigeria drew the World Cup qualifier 2-2. Photo: FEMI ADEBESIN-KUTI

Unfit Mikel named in Amodu’s Kenya list

By Semiu Osho

Chelsea’s John Obi Mikel, who has not played competitive football for over a month after an ankle injury, has returned to Amodu Shuaibu’s Super Eagles squad billed to face Kenya on November 14 at the Kasarani Stadium in Nairobi, for Nigeria’s last 2010 World Cup qualifying match.

Mikel’s last game for the Eagles was during the September 6, World Cup qualifier against Tunisia in Abuja. His last game for his club was Chelsea’s 3-1 loss to Wigan on September 26, where he was pulled out at the end of the first half.

Mikel’s return to the Eagles at this time will come as a surprise to many particularly as he has not been declared fit by his club’s doctors and so has not been listed by Chelsea for the club’s Champions League match against Atletico Madrid today as well as Sunday’s English Premiership clash with champions, Manchester United.

Rabiu’s exclusion

There was, however, no room for Sporting Club of Portugal midfielder, Rabiu Ibrahim, who impressed for the Flying Eagles at the last FIFA U-20 World Cup in Egypt, and who, in the absence of a natural playmaker in the current Super Eagles side, would have been suitable for the role.

Chinedu Obasi of German club side, Hoffenheim, who hobbled off the pitch last Wednesday in a cup game, is also missing from Amodu’s plans for the match against the Harambee Stars, likewise the duo of right full-backs Olubayo Adefemi and Yusuf Mohammed, who are also down with injuries.

From Russia with love

In their absence, Amodu has handed a recall to CSKA Moscow of Russia full-back, Chidi Odiah, who hasn’t appeared for the Super Eagles since their March 29 goalless draw against Mozambique in Maputo, where he had a torrid time handling the pace of the Mozambican forwards.

Other defenders called up by Amodu, who travelled out of the country on Sunday to see Real Zaragoza of Spain’s Ikechukwu Uche, along with other injured and recuperating players, are Taye Taiwo, Elderson Echiejile, Onyekachi Apam, Obinna Nwaneri, Ayodele Adeleye, Danny Shittu and Joseph Yobo.

Whichever combination from the list of defenders Amodu decides to field, will be expected to provide the necessary cover for one of the invited goalkeeping trio of Vincent Enyeama, Bamidele Aiyenugba and Greg Etafia, in the Nairobi encounter.

With Fulham’s Dickson Etuhu still recuperating from injury and Kalu Uche of Spanish side, Almeria, not handed a recall by Amodu after his uninspiring displays in his last couple of appearances for the Super Eagles, there are no surprise inclusions in the team’s midfield with the technical crew sticking to, in addition to Mikel, Seyi Olofinjana, Yusuf Ayila, Olufemi Ajilore and Sani Kaita.

There are also no surprises in the forward line with fans favourite, Osaze Odemwingie, included alongside the likes of team’s captain, Nwankwo Kanu, Joseph Akpala, Michael Eneramo, Aiyegbeni Yakubu, Obafemi Martins and Obinna Nsofor, who scored the team’s solitary strike against Mozambique on October 11, in Abuja.

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Reader Comments (12)

Posted by IWEJUA prince on Nov 03 2009

My comment on this match coming up in Kenya is for the Super Eagles to perform as the name implies. The Coach has to select players who are determine to fly the flag of this country not those who are looking at their legs for reservation to their clubs where they make fat money. Also the players should play like one brother not with an individual game and looking at their bank accounts and serve their country that even they are to be take the glory and the officials. shames if one don't have it there is problem. When Nigeria loss a match we have to complian because we ought to have shame not to say they lost gallantly what kind of encouragement? We troop to National Stadium to watch Green Eagles since they have been renamed to Super Eagles my peoples says that big name that kills the dog. When a dog is been given "smart" or "Wishik" it will be proud. Win this match for the Nigerianas in Kenya and here at home don't under rate anybody in the pitch and go to world cup for your good leave mafia, or fashions and come together.

Posted by mike on Nov 03 2009

i really donn't know what super eagels players are going to tell nigerians at the end of this year, in the last world cup qualifiers we were told by our eagels that kano weather was harsh for them, whats going to be thier excuse now, we gave them every thing do you want to talk about money, or you want to talk about cheering, forturnatly and unforturnatly i was there at national stadium in Abuja my self. i don't want to talk about the way i got to watch the game that ended draw in our nations capital, my prayer for eagels is that they should qualify so that the pain they caused us will wipe away. they should all play like osaze(with determination and passion) that is the game of football. They should watch brasilian players play for there country. we still believe they will make us proud so they should do so.

Posted by OGBONNA ikechukwu, owerri. on Nov 03 2009

It is painful to admit,from all indication Shuaibu Amodu have taken us back to another eight years of waiting before the green white green flag will be hoisted at the mundial.NFF knew that with Amodu it won't work but they choose to toy with our heart.the heart of one fifty milion nigerians.where is the zeal to feel a nigerian really going to come from when they won't do the right thing.

Posted by Emeka Ogu on Nov 03 2009

God help us

Posted by kento on Nov 03 2009

we are totally disappointed, we don't have any thin to say if they wish let them play fine if they don't is there bussiness every nigerian knows that super eagles is no longer a club to hope on. we are very happy with golden eaglet they will bring our name out we will support them we ve forgotten about super eagles.

Posted by Wellington Tunde on Nov 03 2009

Why do you feel compelled to always give your stories on Nigeria a negative spin? Must you be so adversarial, that you just can't let news remain news, without your prejudicial opinions? We all know there is a lot wrong with our nation, extending as well to sports administration. But be careful, lest you lock yourself in a negative mindset, as has been apparent in your write-ups on Eagles, the u-17 team and the preparation for the tournament. A number of perceptive readers were able to see through your Sunday "The Shame of the 2009 U-17 World Cup" for what it is - a shoddy attempt to justify your pre-stated position that Nigeria will not be able to put up a good tournament. Please, tone down your opinion and negativity, hence you turn this to another rag-sheet enveloped in a rather beautiful cover.

Posted by OBINNA IKORO 4rm ABUJA on Nov 03 2009

It's really amazing that the GIANT of Africa as the name implies cannot BOSTFULLY say that they have qualify for the forth coming WORLD CUP in south Africa even though is on our own soil rather we are still HOPING for other nations should lose so that we might qualify just because of some selfish People Like MR. AMODU SHAIBU.U see iam very anoyed with the situation on groud right now beause if we lose this forth oppurtunity he(MR. SHAYBU) will have NO other option except for him to go to His village and farm.Then i also ask? why will he even think of bringing MIKEL even with his njury which he have not recovred.Let him not cause what will make We NIGERIANS raise eye browns.

Posted by Ofia Afulu Agu on Nov 04 2009

Amodu and his crew should just go ahead and do what they are paid for "Beat Kenya in Nairobi" as for me I believe that Nigeria will give Africa a better representation in the 2010 mundial in south Africa than Tunisia. Go Super Eagles Go.

Posted by tunde lagos on Nov 04 2009

I dont have much to say than, i pary for Nigeria that they will be in south Africa 2010. Amen

Posted by Eberechukwu O on Nov 04 2009

Amodu has never been successful in handling super eagles so do not expect any good thing from him. he is still experimenting with the players.

Posted by oluwafemi sunday (Isarun) on Nov 04 2009

The God of soccer is far from Nigeria for now. Take a look at the country as a whole, politically, socially, sport wise etc. Things are not working properly. Well, we should forget this world cup and prepare for the next one because we don't have a team that can make us proud.

Posted by False Positive on Nov 11 2009

Mr Amodu would do well to learn from the Eaglets: they are home grown talents with a good manager who is always on his feet, thinking and communicating with his players. If you play against a team with a very strong midfield, you can re-enforce your own midfield or attack from the wings. Mr Amodu failed to see this problem in the matches against the Tunisians and also against the Mozambicans, in which the SE [insisted] on frontal attack with only 10% success rate. The players – except perhaps Osaze -- and the manager had no clue. In contrast to the Eaglets, you would notice how often they use the wingers to bypass the midfield. Mikel Obi – what a wasted talent – is only a 'water carrier' in the Chelsea team. (What player he would have become had he joined ManUtd with Sir Alex). He is overweight, slow, cannot run and slows down the SE attacks. As an Eaglet, he was an excellent passer of the ball, but not anymore. He should not even make the bench. Mr Amodu is showing his inferiority complex by giving too much hairs of importance to these European-based players. Does Mikel Obi have any gravitas on the Chelsea pitch like Drogba, Essien, Anelka, Lampard, Kalou, Ballack etc? The answer is definitely NO. He has become too ordinary with no effect on the pitch. The demise of the SE is the consequent of the European influence. These Nigerian European-based players are corrupting the Nigerian style of playing football, as played by the Eaglets.