Super Eagles head coach, Stephen Keshi, has finally released his 23-man list for the World Cup in Brazil; .After 30 players from the four corners of the world were invited by the big boss, the die was cast to trim that number to 23 on or before June 2, 2014. Keshi named Joseph Yobo and Osaze Odemwingie in his squad but shockingly dropped 2013 African Cup of Nations stars Ejike Uzoenyi and Sunday Mba.
The trio of Daniel Akpeyi, Joel Obi and Nosa Igiebor were also dropped from the team.
Yobo and Odemwingie were late call-ups into the team after having fallen out with Keshi but they will lead the pack along with Chelsea midfielders John Mikel Obi and Victor Moses who was on-loan at Liverpool last season.
The team features veteran players like Yobo who will be featuring in his third World Cup finals along with goalkeepers Vincent Enyeama and Austin Ejide and World Cup debutants Reuben Gabriel and Juwon Oshaniwa.
Keshi’s seemingly perfect front line will be Nigeria’s biggest arsenal in Brazil and along with a stable midfield and defence they have been tipped to progress from the group phase by Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho.
Prior to this release, Nigeria, like other teams, had the luxury of playing one or two friendly games to help in sieving out the unfortunate 7. It is a big decision that the coach must make and hope it turns out to be the best in line with the hopes and expectations of Nigerians.
Here is the 23-Man squad…
Goalkeepers:
Vincent Enyeama (Lille/FRA), Chigozie Agbim (Gombe United), Austin Ejide (Hapoel Be’er sheva/ISR)

Defenders:
Elderson Echiejile (Monaco/FRA), Efe Ambrose (Celtic FC/SCO), Godfrey Oboabona (Rizespor/TUR), Azubuike Egwuekwe (Warri Wolves/NGR), Kenneth Omeruo (Chelsea/ENG), Juwon Oshaniwa (Ashdod FC/ISR), Joseph Yobo (Norwich City/ENG), Kunle Odunlami ( Sunshine Stars/NGR).

Midfielders:
Mikel Obi (Chelsea/ENG), Ogenyi Onazi, (Lazio/ITA), Gabriel Reuben (Beveren/BEL), Michael Uchebo (Cercle Brugge/BEL), Ramon Azeez (UD Almeria/ SPN).

Forwards:
Ahmed Musa (CSKA Moscow/RUS), Shola Ameobi (Newcastle United/ENG), Victor Moses (Chelsea/ENG), Emmanuel Emenike (Fenerbahce/TUR), Osaze Odemwingie, (Stoke city/ENG), Uche Nwofor (VVV-Venlo/HOL), Babatunde Michael (Volyn Lutsk/UKR)
First Round Match fixtures @ Brazil 2014 world cup
From 01.06.2014 To 30.06.2014
16/06/2014 Curitiba Iran – Nigeria
21/06/2014 Cuiaba Nigeria – Bosnia and Herzegovina
25/06/2014 Porto Alegre Nigeria – Argentina

Fiinally ,Daniel Akpeyi, Ejike Uzoenyi, Nnamdi Oduamadi,Joel Obi,Nosa Igiebor,Sunday Mba and Obinna Nsofor were dropped!

African politics wishes the apolitical Super Eagles well in Brazil.