Despite the furore over Coach Stephen Keshi's exclusion of certain category of players from the provisional squad for the Africa Cup Nations in South Africa, ex- national U-20 captain, Franklin Howard has predicted the team will meet the competition's target of reaching the semi final and above.

Like other ex players who have commented on the list particularly the exclusion of the likes of Obafemi Martins and Osaze Odemwingie, Howard said that Keshi has the final say about who goes to South Africa.

"Though Osaze and Martins are doing well in their clubs, Keshi has now brought in players to make up for areas of deficiency and I think he has moved to make sure there is a team he is sure would deliver the goods.

"My take is that the semi final target is achievable because if he concentrates effort on building the team to play as one whole unit, we will have cause to be happy with the Eagles," he said.