Nigeria name 24-man squad – Angola 2010

Obafemi Martins- Major doubt (Credit: ©Adrian de Kock / MTNfootball.com

Nigeria coach, Shaibu Amodu has trimmed down his earlier squad of 32 to 24 as the team commences preparations for the African Cup of Nations in Angola.

In a meeting involving the Nigeria Football Federation and the technical handlers of the Super Eagles, 8 players were dropped from the initial squad.

The player who were dropped
Goalkeepers: Greg Etafia and Bassey Akpan.
Defenders: Chibuzor Okonkwo, Olubayo Adefemi and Ayodele Adeleye
Midfielders: Bartholomew Ibenegbu and Olufemi Ajilore.
Striker:Joseph Akpala

Final squad

Goalkeepers (3)
Vincent Enyama(Hapoel Tel Aviv, Israel)
Bamidele Aiyenugba(Bnei Yehuda Tel Aviv FC, Israel)
Austin Ejide(SC Bastia, France)

Defenders (8)
Taye Taiwo(Marseille, France)
Joseph Yobo (Everton, England
Elderson Echiejile(Rennes, France)
Danny Shittu(Bolton Wanderers, England)
Obinna Nwaneri(FC Sion, Switzerland)
Onyekachi Apam(OGC Nice, France)
Chidi Odiah(CSKA Moscow, Russia)
Yusuf Mohammed(FC Sion,, Switzerland)

Midfielders (7)
Dickson Etuhu(Fulham, England)
Sanni Keita(Lokomotiv Moscow, Russia)
Oluwaseyi Olofinjana (Hull City, England)
Mikel Obi(Chelsea, England)
Nwankwo Kanu(Portsmouth, England)
Yusuf Ayinla(FC Dynamo Kyiv, Russia)
Kalu Uche(Almeria, Spain)

Strikers(6)
Osaze Odemwingie(Lokomotiv Moscow)
Obafemi Martins(Wolfsburg, Germany)
Chinedu Obasi(1899 Hoffenheim, Germany)
Micheal Eneramo(Espérance Sportive de Tunis, Tunisia)
Yakubu Aiyegbeni (Everton, England)
Obinna Nsofor(Internazionale now on loan @Malaga CF, Spain).

25 players will travel to Durban, South Africa to begin pre-tournament camping. Although Obafemi Martins is with the team, he remains a major doubt for the Eagles. He is still recovering after a shin surgery earlier this month. If he does not pass the fitness test, his place will be taken by Hoffenhaim striker, Chinedu Obasi.

Nigeria has an experience squad led by the most decorated player on the continent, Nwankwo Kanu who would be making his sixth appearance at the competition. Also in the squad are Everton duo Joseph Yobo and Yakubu Aiyegbeni. Chelsea star, Mikel Obi can add some talent to the team by holding the midfield. Another player who would be a delight to watch at the competition would be Lokomotiv Moscow striker, Osaze Odemwingie.Odemwingie dazzled fans at the last edition of the competition some deft touches and creative runs upfront.