Obi’s return for Liberia match excites Nigerians

Staff Report
Nigeria is leaving no stone unturned in its bid to succeed for South Africa 2013. Trainer Steve Keshi let it be known that qualifying for the continental football gala is high on his agenda. Inviting Chelsea star John Mikel Obi, whose absence from the first leg match played at the Monrovia sports Stadium saw the Lone Stars and the Super Eagles drawing 2-2, is also high on his agenda.

Keshi proposed a 38-man strong squad, which is expected to be trimmed down to 23 players. Among the players will be 15 foreign-based players, and 23 home-based stars. Expected to miss the tie will be Spain-based Ike Uche, while Victor Moses is also expected to make a return.

“I am ready to put in my best to see that we redeem ourselves by defeating Liberia to secure the Nations Cup ticket. Missing out of last edition still hurts and so this is a must-win game and I am ready to do battle,” John Mikel Obi told MTN Football.com.

Continue the Chelsea star, “I have no other nation apart from Nigeria and I am happy to be back with the Eagles, even though I have always seen myself as part of the team even when I was not playing games.” Obi also said Liberia would be no match for Nigeria when the two teams meet next month. Obi has been capped 37 times for the eagles, scoring two goals since his first appearance in 2005.

Reports out of Nigeria say the Nigerian fans are unhappy with Keshi’s selection, especially with the overseas players he selected for the pending tie with Liberia. Obi opted out of the game with Liberia when he was told the match would be played on an artificial pitch, drawing criticisms from home fans who questioned his dedication and patriotism.

To prepare for the pending clash in Calabar, the Liberian national team has flown into Ghana for an 11-day training and camping exercise. Coach Kaetu Smith is said to have warned the eagles that he is coming with his troops to teach the Nigerians a lesson, but Steve Keshi “the big boss,” is not impressed.

“They can camp anywhere they wish. Their training program in Ghana is no treat, and that won’t insulate them from an imminent defeat when they visit Calabar. If they like, let them go to the moon to camp. I do not need to monitor them. We just need to concentrate and I believe that the boys will make Nigeria proud… We will settle the matter in Calabar,” Keshi is said to have remarked.

Liberian Dialogue staff report

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