With only two days remaining before Stephen Keshi announces his World Cup roster, GOAL ZONE predicts 23-players likely to make the plane to Brazil.
The Super Eagles boss has previously named a 30-man provisional squad list for a training camp in Philadelphia, with players like Kunle Odunlami, Michael Uchebo, Joel Obi and Nnamdi Oduamadi given a final opportunity to impress.
GOALKEEPERS
Vincent Enyeama
Age : 31
Caps : 88
Chances of being on the plane : 100% - The Lille custodian was very consistent in Ligue 1 last season after manager René Girard took a big gamble on him. He is one of the sure bankers to be on the plane to Brazil and will start in goal when Nigeria confronts Iran on June 16.
Austin Ejide
Age : 30
Caps : 26
Chances of being on the plane : 100% - His performance against Scotland did not tick the right boxes. Has been battling with his fitness since that game against Hapoel Tel Aviv in the Israeli championship when he asked to be substituted in order not to aggravate an injury. One of the lasting images we took away from the friendly at Craven Cottage was his bizarre disallowed own goal. Right to say he's lacking match fitness and he has around two weeks to correct that. Definitely on the plane.
Chigozie Agbim
Age : 29
Caps : 11
Chances of being on the plane : 70% - Leading up to the World Cup, his form for club and country has been patchy and the right thing that the National Team selectors would have done was to include a rookie goalkeeper in the squad just as Coach Festus Onigbinde did in 2002. But Keshi has decided to stick with him, meaning he plans to take him to Brazil.
Daniel Akpeyi
Age : 27
Caps : 0
Chances of being on the plane : 40% - Unfortunately, the Warri Wolves man will not be on the plane to Brazil. Stephen Keshi never gave him a chance to show his qualities and the friendly against Greece is coming too late. There will be a public outcry if he makes the squad ahead of Agbim as he is seen as the worse of two un-trusted goalies.
DEFENDERS
Joseph Yobo
Age : 33
Caps : 96
Chances of being on the plane : 85% - A little doubt surrounding his full fitness having missed Norwich's last five games in the Premier League. Nonetheless, the Eagles skipper should be on the plane to Brazil,with his vast experience the major factor.
Godfrey Obobanona
Age : 23
Caps : 34
Chances of being on the plane : 100% - Another certainty for the World Cup. Oboabona has grown by leaps and bounds since he won the African Nations Cup in 2013, which earned him a move to Rizespor. Take note, he is expected to be one of the stars of the Nigerian team at the mundial.
Azubuike Egwuekwe
Age : 24
Caps : 23
Chances of being on the plane : 75% - One of Stephen Keshi's favourite pupils. He has the edge over Kunle Odunlami and should be on the plane to Brazil. Whether he gets to be fielded at the World Cup is another different matter.
Kunle Odunlami
Age : 24
Caps : 9
Chances of being on the plane : 50% - A lesson Stephen Keshi quickly learned from the Scotland friendly is that Odunlami is "most definitely" not a right back. It's expected that the selectors will take 7 defenders to the tournament and the Sunshine Stars man is the weakest link. Misses the cut due to his lack of versatility.
Kenneth Omeruo
Age : 21
Caps : 14
Chances of being on the plane : 100% - It was an easy choice to make. Kenneth will make the 23 - man roster. But I am sure Keshi will add to his grey hairs deciding whether he starts him or Yobo at central defense to partner the untouchable Godfrey Oboabona.
Efe Ambrose
Age : 25
Caps : 35
Chances of being on the plane : 100% - Has no competition or even a genuine substitute to him at right back. Efe is versatile but his defensive frailties were exposed at the Confederations Cup. Will be disastrous if this is repeated in Brazil. He offers more going forward.
Elderson Echiejile
Age : 26
Caps : 38
Chances of being on the plane : 100% - Stephen Keshi will look for clues if Echiejile is in the right frame of mind to start games at the World Cup in the next two friendlies against Greece and United States. Was largely inactive for Monaco at the second half of this season. Has improved offensively in his last few internationals.
Juwon Oshaniwa
Age : 23
Caps : 10
Chances of being on the plane : 85% - No contenders for the assist duties to Elderson Echiejile. And he even has a case to start games at the World Cup ahead of Echiejile for reasons you and I are aware of.
MIDFIELDERS
John Obi Mikel
Age : 27
Caps : 51
Chances of being on the plane : 100% - There is no question, Mikel will be on the plane to Brazil. One of Nigeria's genuine world class stars and it remains to be seen if he'll deliver at the World Cup,after a disappointing season with Chelsea,hindered mostly by lack of playing time.
Eddy Onazi
Age : 21
Caps : 19
Chances of being on the plane : 100% - Onazi is Mr Reliable for the Eagles at major tournaments, can do anything the coach wants him to do in midfield, and this won't change in Brazil. He's currently hunting for a move away from Lazio and would love to increase his marketability in the summer window during the World Cup.
Ejike Uzoenyi
Age : 26
Caps : 20
Chances of being on the plane : 85% - He is not lacking confidence these days after being named the best player at the African Nations Championship. He has peaked at the right time and would be used as an impact substitute at the mundial.
Sunday Mba
Age : 25
Caps : 21
Chances of being on the plane : 90% - Reports had earlier wrongly ruled him out of the World Cup after he failed to arrive camp until the day of the friendly with Scotland. He is used to the big stage and will get the gaffer's nod. On the plane!
Reuben Gabriel
Age : 23
Caps : 11
Chances of being on the plane : 40% - Eyebrows were raised he made the 30 - man squad. Has made only five starts for his clubs in the past two seasons. Will be a big 'public relations' disaster by Keshi if he takes him to Brazil. To be left in the USA to continue his summer vacation.
Ramon Azeez
Age : 21
Caps : 1
Chances of being on the plane : 50% - On the back of his club form, he deserves a place in this team but has no experience at international level,50/50 call.
Nosa Igiebor
Age : 23
Caps : 8
Chances of being on the plane : 75% - As long as Nosa proves that his injury concerns for most past of this season are behind him, he is expected to make the World Cup roster.
Joel Obi
Age : 23
Caps : 13
Chances of being on the plane : 75% - Another player that must prove his fitness to Stephen Keshi like Nosa. But he passed the Scotland test with flying colours and is expected to be on the plane to Brazil. Can play several midfield roles, a plus for him.
Ahmed Musa
Age : 21
Caps : 37
Chances of being on the plane : 100% - He's a certainty for the trip barring a relapse to the injury that he suffered towards the end of the Russian Premier League. Musa needs to stand up and be counted in Brazil, and justify his wonder-kid tag.
ATTACKERS
Shola Ameobi
Age : 32
Caps : 6
Chances of being on the plane : 75% - Keshi likes Ameobi and is keen to take him to Brazil because of his experience. His display against Italy in last year's friendly comes into the equation,though a poor showing against Scotland this week has raised questions over his inclusion. Expected to make the plane, nevertheless.
Victor Moses
Age : 23
Caps : 18
Chances of being on the plane : 100% - May be second string at Liverpool but the fans favourite is one of the certainties to be on the plane to Brazil. Don't forget he was the top scorer at the Euro Under 17s back in 2007. He has been introduced to the big stage so early in his career, and is expected to explode in Brazil.
Emmanuel Emenike
Age : 27
Caps : 21
Chances of being on the plane : 100 - On current form, Nigeria’s hottest goalscorer. The AFCON top scorer has bagged 7 goals in his last 10 internationals. Certainly on the plane.
Victor Obinna
Age : 27
Caps : 47
Chances of being on the plane : 80% - Obinna will be making his second appearance at the World Cup. Has experience and versatility to boot! Can be deployed as an old fashioned winger, midfielder or support striker.
Peter Odemwingie
Age : 32
Caps : 56
Chances of being on the plane : 100% - The job for Keshi is how to blend this gifted striker with Emmanuel Emenike. Against Scotland, he showed he has not lost his class one bit. Hardly lets his beloved country down. Welcome back to the fold boss,on the plane!
Michael Babatunde
Age : 21
Caps : 3
Chances of being on the plane : 30% - One of the questionable choices made by Stephen Keshi since he took over from Samson Siasia. Being named on the 30 - man roster and getting to wear the World Cup kits should be one of the highlights of his career. But it ends there, needs more time to be called into the big stages.
Michael Uchebo
Age : 24
Caps : 2
Chances of being on the plane : 50% - The Cercle Brugge forward is living in the shadows of other established strikers. His lack of international experience means he gets the axe,hopefully will be closely looked at for other upcoming competitions.
Nnamdi Oduamadi
Age : 23
Caps : 13
Chances of being on the plane : 75% - Another interesting decision by the coaches. The player's talent is unquestionable, 4 goals in 12 games for Varese after he joined them in the January transfer window. If I should put myself in Stephen Keshi's shoes, I will pick him because he can play several offensive roles. Expected to make the plane.
Uche Nwofor
Age : 22
Caps : 5
Chances of being on the plane : 60% - He has impressed in friendlies, netting 3 goals in his first 5 caps but he is not as versatile as the rest of the offensive players who have been selected. 14 goals in 62 appearances in the top division in Holland leaves him in the hope for a call-up in upcoming competitions. Misses the cut.
GOAL ZONE's predicted Final 23-man Nigeria World Cup Squad
Goalkeepers: Vincent Enyeama (Lille, France), Austin Ejide (Hapoel Be’er Sheva, Israel), Chigozie Agbim (Gombe united)
Defenders: Joseph Yobo (Fenerbahçe), Efe Ambrose (Glasgow Celtic), Godfrey Oboabona(Rizespor), Elderson Echiejile (Monaco), Azubuike Egwuekwe (Warri Wolves), Kenneth Omeruo (Chelsea), Juwon Oshaniwa (MS Ashdod)
Midfielders: John Obi Mikel (Chelsea), Nosa Igiebor (Real Betis), Eddy Onazi (Lazio), Joel Obi (Parma), Sunday Mba (CA Bastia), Ejike Uzoenyi (Enugu Rangers)
Attackers: Ahmed Musa (CSKA Moscow), Emmanuel Emenike (Fenerbahce), Victor Moses (Chelsea) , Shola Ameobi ( Newcastle United), Nnamdi Oduamadi (Varese), Victor Obinna ( Chievo Verona), Peter Odemwingie (Stoke City)
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