29 October 2008
Chelsea midfielder John Mikel Obi will not be in action for the Super Eagles when they take on their Colombian counterparts after he was left out of the squad for the November 19 international friendly.
The 21-year-old former FC Lyn of Norway player was left out of the national team's last international fixture, a World Cup qualifier against Sierra Leone, at the behest of his English club's manager and he will not be part of the squad that will be in Bogota to take on Colombia's Los Cafeteros.
A 24-man list was forwarded to the Colombian FA by the Nigeria Football Federation and included in the double dozen of players for the friendly international is former African goalkeeper of the Year Vincent Enyeama, who makes a return to the Super Eagles mainframe after missing the last two matches against South Africa and the Leone Stars.
However missing from the list is Newcastle United striker Obafemi Martins who recently made a return to the English side's first team after overcoming a thigh injury. The former Inter Milan of Italy ace will now have to wait until another day for his first international under coach Shaibu Amodu, who also left out former Eagles talisman Julius Aghahowa from the 24-man list despite his recent goalscoring heroics in the Turkish top flight.
Also missing is Dynamo Kyiv midfield anchorman Kazeem Ayila who is still down with injury but FC Groningen's Oluwafemi Ajilore returns to make another claim for his debut Super Eagles cap after failing to do so against the Leone Stars.
Nwankwo Kanu has also been called up by Amodu who recently gave his backing to the Portsmouth forward despite calls for his international retirement.
The list also includes the likes of Chinedu Obasi, Joseph Akpala, Osaze Odemwingie, Yakubu Aiyegbeni, Victor Obinna Nsofor and the Uche brothers, Kalu and Ikechukwu.
Others include Joseph Yobo, Dele Aiyenugba, Austin Ejide, Taye Taiwo, Danny Shittu, Chidi Odiah, Dele Adeleye, Onyekachi Apam, Christian Obodo, Sani Kaita, Yusuf Mohammed and Solomon Okoronkwo.
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