Super Eagles 23-man squad for SA 2010 released !!!

Posted on 31. May, 2010 by Pappy Dee in Sports Gist

Lars Largerback has released his final 23-man squad to lead Nigeria to a successful outing in South Africa. Having worked with the players for only 3 weeks , he had the unenviable position of dropping 7 players from the 30-man provisional squad.The players that were dropped were Victor Anichebe, Ikechuckwu Uche , Peter Utaka, Onyekachi Apam, Brown Ideye and the two domestic players Bassey Akpan and Terna Suswan.

The Swede announced the list to the players at a meeting where he called the affected players together and explained to them why they were being dropped.”He called them together and explained that time was too short, and that injuries were also a factor,” Super Eagles Media Officer Idah Peterside told KickOffNigeria.com.

I personally do not agree with the exclusion of Victor Anichebe from the squad who’s work rate up front would have been an asset at South Africa . The inclusion of Kanu also does not inspire confidence despite the achievements of this great footballer ,I am one of those who feel he should have been dropped for younger talent like Anichebe. However on a more positive note , Haruna Lukman has made the cut after a string of convincing performances in the heart of midfield and it seems John Obi Mikel is deemed fit enough to participate in his first ever World cup.

The contingent leaves for South Africa later on Monday.

Nigeria squad
Goalkeepers: Vincent Enyeama (Hapoel Tel Aviv, Israel), Dele Aiyenugba (Bnei Yehuda, Israel), Austin Ejide (Hapoel Petach Tikvah, Israel)

Defenders
Taye Taiwo (Marseille, France), Elderson Echiejile (Rennes, France), Chidi Odiah (CSKA Moscow, Russia), Joseph Yobo (Everton, England), Ayodele Adeleye (Sparta Rotterdam, Netherlands), Rabiu Afolabi (SV Salzburg, Austria), Danny Shittu (Bolton Wanderers, England)

Midfielders: Kalu Uche (Almeria, Spain), Dickson Etuhu (Fulham, England), John Mikel Obi (Chelsea, England), Sani Kaita (Alaniya, Russia), Haruna Lukman (AS Monaco, France), Yusuf Ayila (Dynamo Kiev, Ukraine)

Strikers: Yakubu Aiyegbeni (Everton, England), Nwankwo Kanu (Portsmouth, England), Obafemi Martins (Wolfsburg, Germany), John Utaka(Portsmouth, England), Victor Obinna Nsofor (Malaga, Spain), Osaze Odemwingie (Lokomotiv Moscow, Russia), Chinedu Ogbuke Obasi (TSG Hoffenheim, Germany)

What do you think about the Final World Cup squad for the Super Eagles ?

Tags: Anichebe, Ideye, Lars Lagerback, Super Eagles, Uche