ACTUALITE |
13.08.2002
Nigeria call on Okocha for Angola campaign
LAGOS
Nigeria have called up World Cup captain Austin Okocha for next month`s African Nations Cup qualifier against Angola despite the player`s decision to quit the team.
The 29-year-old midfielder had indicated he wanted to retire from international football after Nigeria`s final group match against England at the World Cup in South Korea and Japan.
`Jay Jay` Okocha said then that he was no longer fired up to play for his country and would prefer to leave the way open for younger players.
However, there has been pressure on the player to stay on as the `Super Eagles` rebuild following their early exit from the soccer finals in Asia.
Nigeria have insisted on their World Cup stars for the important Nations Cup tie away to Angola early next month although 24 other players from the local league have been called up to prepare for the game from next week in the northern city of Kano.
Derby County trialist Yakubu Aiyegbeni, who was surprisingly left out of the World Cup party, has another chance to prove he can produce the goods at this level while there was a recall for midfielder Duke Udi, who now features in the Russian league with Krylya Sovetov.
The Angola tie will be the first match for new coach Christian Chukwu, who is returning to the post after eight years.
Goalkeepers: Vincent Enyeama (Enyimba/Ngr), Austin Ejide (Gabros/Ngr), Felix Levi (Insurance/Ngr), Sam Okoye (Enugu Rangers/Ngr)
Defenders: Joseph Yobo (Everton/Eng), Isaac Okoronkwo (Shakhtar Donetsk/Ukr), Rabiu Afolabi (Standard Liege/Bel), Ifeanyi UdezeSalonica/Gre), Patrick Ovie (Krylya Sovetov/Rus), Eric Ejiofor (Maccabi Haifa/Isr)
Midfielders: Christopher Justice (Levski Sofia/Bul), Austin `Jay Jay` Okocha (Bolton/Eng), Duke Udi (Krylya Sovetov/Rus), James Obiorah (Lokomotiv Moscow/Rus), Pius Ikedia (Groningen/Ned)
Strikers: Benedict Akwuegbu (Shenyeng Gendi/Chn), Bartholomew Ogbeche (Paris Saint Germain/Fra), John Utaka (Lens/Fra), Nwankwo Kanu (Arsenal/Eng), Yakubu Aiyegbeni (Maccabi Haifa/Isr), Femi Opabunmi (Lyon/Fra), Julius Aghahowa (Shakhtar Donetsk/Ukr)
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