Amodu submits team list today
From Ezeocha Nzeh, Abuja
WOLFSBURG of Germany striker, Obafemi Martins and Fulham midfielder, Dickson Etuhu, are expected back in the Super Eagles for the South Africa 2010 World Cup qualifier slated for October 10 in Abuja.
Super Eagles chief coach, Amodu Shaibu, is expected to submit the team list of 30 players, who will battle for positions in the game against Mozambique.
The Guardian gathered that about five home-based players would feature in the list of players for the crucial Group B encounter, which Nigeria must win to remain in contention for a ticket to South Africa 2010 World Cup.
Tunisia leads the group on eight points, while Nigeria is second on six points with two rounds of matches to go.
Several other familiar names, including Bolton Wanderers' unsettled defender, Danny Shittu, may also be back in the team, which will begin camping for the game on October 3.
Chairman of the NFF technical committee, Taiwo Ogunjobi, said yesterday during a chat with journalists that the list of invited players had been increased from the initial number of 23 to 30 to make the team competitive, adding that the football body had resolved to invite more players to enable the technical crew pick the best.
He noted that due to the importance of the match, the federation had decided that the players would resume early for camping, stating that the selection of players would be strictly on performance.
" We want the camp to be a serious and competitive one, where only players who are able to prove their worth will be selected for matches."
The Guardian also gathered that due to the rate of distractive visitors, the players had when they camped at the NICON Luxury Hotel during the team's last match against Tunisia, the NFF might have resolved to take the team in another hotel in Abuja.
Amodu is said to be counting on the experience and composure of Shittu after a rather shaky performance by Dele Adeleye in the heart of the Eagles' defence against the Carthage Eagles, although the big central defender has failed to command a first-team shirt at the Trotters since his switch from Watford.
Among the home-based players touted for the team are Bayelsa United's Chibuzor Okonkwo, Heartland's ThankGod Ike, and Stanley Okoro, as well as Kano Pillars' Bello Kofarmata.
