Nigeria to take new-look squad to Confederations Cup

Nigeria have made nine changes to their squad for the Confederations Cup from the one that won the African Nations Cup in February.

Coach Stephen Keshi will take four uncapped players to the tournament, which kicks off in Brazil on 15 June.

Keshi has a settled look about his defence but has made a host of changes with the likes of Victor Moses and Emmanuel Emenike unavailable.
Joseph Yobo, Peter Odemwingie and Obafemi Martins have been overlooked.
Keshi was criticised by local media before the Nations Cup for choosing inexperienced, home-based players but since winning the continental championship has silenced the doubters.

Nigeria are in Group B along with Tahiti, Uruguay and Spain for the Confederations Cup, while Brazil, Japan, Mexico and Italy make up Group A.
Before heading to Brazil, Nigeria travel to Namibia for a World Cup qualifier in Windhoek on Wednesday. They sit at the top of their group, two points ahead of Malawi by two points with two rounds of matches remaining.


Nigeria squad:

Goalkeepers: Chigozie Agbim (Enugu Rangers), Austin Ejide (Hapoel Beer Sheva), Vincent Enyeama (Maccabi Tel Aviv)

Defenders: Efe Ambrose (Celtic), Francis Benjamin (Heartland FC), Elderson Echiejile (Sporting Braga), Azubuike Egwuekwe (Warri Wolves), Solomon Kwambe, Godfrey Oboabona (both Sunshine Stars), Kenneth Omeruo (ADO Den Haag)

Midfielders: Emeka Eze (Enugu Rangers), John Obi Mikel (Chelsea), Fegor Ogude (Valerenga), John Ogu (Academica Coimbra), Ogenyi Onazi (Lazio), Sunday Mba (Enugu Rangers)

Forwards: Joseph Akpala (Werder Bremen), Michael Babatunde (FC Kryvbas), Muhammad Gambo (Kano Pillars), Brown Ideye (Dynamo Kiev), Ahmed Musa (CSKA Moscow), Nnamdi Oduamadi (Varese), Anthony Ujah (FC Cologne).

[BBC]