By Michael Ogunbamowo
Nigerian striker Osaze Odemwingie has opened up on his exclusion from the squad announced for the Africa Cup of Nations by Coach Stephen Keshi.
Odemwingie was widely expected to take part in the three-week long tournament, which is set to take place in South Africa between January 19 and February 10.
The West Bromwich player took to the micro-blogging site Twitter to vent, taking shots at some people in the national team, including former coaches Samson Siasia and Lars Lager back and team captain Joseph Yobo, among others.
‘Keshi has no football reasons not to invite me but he is not saying the truth. He is still in my plans. haha coach u no dey in my plans.’
He also tweeted ‘on not my inclusion to the eagles list I am not surprised, not surprised Keshi and NFF couldn’t tell me themselves! No personality.
The 32-man provisional Africa Cup of Nation team list was made available by coach Stephen Keshi after meeting with the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) Technical Committee in Abuja on Friday, December 21, 2012.
The list of players selected to play for Nigeria in the Afcon tournaments are:
Goalkeepers: Vincent Enyeama (Maccabi Tel Aviv, Israel); Austin Ejide (Hapoel Be’er Sheba, Israel); Chigozie Agbim (Enugu Rangers, Nigeria); Daniel Akpeyi (Heartland FC, Nigeria)
Defenders: Elderson Echiejile (FC Braga, Portugal); Juwon Oshaniwa (Ashdod FC, Israel); Benjamin Francis (Heartland FC, Nigeria); Joseph Yobo (Fenerbahce, Turkey); Efe Ambrose (Celtic FC, Scotland); Solomon Kwambe (Sunshine Stars, Nigeria); Azubuike Egwuekwe (Warri Wolves, Nigeria); Danny Shittu (Millwall FC, England); Kenneth Omeruo (ADO Den Haag, Netherlands); Godfrey Oboabona (Sunshine Stars, Nigeria)
Midfielders: John Obi Mikel (Chelsea FC, England); Nosa Igiebor (Real Betis, Spain); Ogenyi Onazi (SS Lazio, Italy); Raheem Lawal (Adana Demirspor, Turkey); Obiora Nwankwo (Calcio Padova, Italy); Fegor Ogude (Valerenga FC, Norway); Reuben Gabriel (Kano Pillars, Nigeria); Rabiu Ibrahim (Celtic FC, Scotland)
Forwards: Ahmed Musa (CSKA Moscow, Russia); Emmanuel Emenike (Spartak Moscow, Russia); Brown Ideye (Dynamo Kyiv, Ukraine); Victor Moses (Chelsea FC, England); Uche Kalu (Rizespor, Turkey); Bright Dike (Portland Timbers, USA); Shola Ameobi (Newcastle FC, England); Ikechukwu Uche (Villarreal FC, Spain); Ejike Uzoenyi (Enugu Rangers, Nigeria); Sunday Mba (Enugu Rangers, Nigeria).
