Coach Stephen keshi's final list

  

 

Super Eagles coach, Stephen Keshi

After months of suspense, the 23 players that will form the Super Eagles final squad for the 2014 World Cup will be known today (Monday). June 2 is the deadline set by the world football governing body, FIFA for all teams to submit their final list from the provisional 30 sent in last month.

Some other teams billed for Brazil have since announced their World Cup teams with defending champions Spain releasing their final 23 names on Saturday. Experienced strikers Fernando Torres and David Villa were both included in coach Vicente del Bosque’s final squad as he sought to cover Diego Costa’s injured hamstring.

Nigeria coach Stephen Keshi said on Friday that he had an idea of the players that would make the final cut but would still wait until the last minute before making it public.

Keshi, who spoke after Nigeria first work-out at the Philadelphia Eagles Stadium in Philadelphia, USA, said he wanted to take a closer look at those not on the list.

He said, “Yes, I have an idea of those who will go with us to Brazil but we will still wait till the last minute before we announce the list. June 2 is the date we are looking at.”

And after the training session on Sunday, Keshi insisted he was still ‘confused’ on which players to drop.

He said, “These players have all convinced me of their abilities but they are also confusing me on whom to pick or drop.

“It’s a difficult decision to make regarding the naming of the final 23 but we have no choice but to do it, otherwise we will be failing in our duties. The players have been so committed, so professional that you feel like shedding a tear because some of them must just go home.”

In the USA, Nigeria will play against Greece in Chester, Pennsylvania on June 3 and the United States team in Jacksonville, Florida on June 7 ahead of the World Cup which kicks off in Brazil on June 12. The 30-man squad started their camping in London with the friendly match against Scotland last week Wednesday which ended 2-2.

Those close to the selection process for Nigeria told The PUNCH that some of those who were already on Keshi’s final list were not featured in the match in London against Scotland. Top of the list of such players are the country’s number one goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama and Chelsea midfielder Mikel Obi. Enyeama was voted the best African player in France and the second best goalkeeper overall for the just concluded season.

Copyright PUNCH.
All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from PUNCH.

Contact: editor@punchng.com