Profile of super Eagles Players

Joseph YOBO
(Date of Birth: 06-09-1980)
Nigeria’s record
international
player with 93
caps. The
experienced
defender has
declared this
would be his
last Africa Cup
of Nations, after
being at five
previously. He
wants to go out
on a high on
Sunday. Played at the 2002 and 2010
FIFA World Cup finals. Current Club:
Fenerbahce (Turkey)
Vincent
ENYEAMA
(Date of Birth:
29-08-1982)
Lion-hearted
goal-tender
who has been
number one for
most of the past
11 years and
made crucial
saves leading to
Nigeria’s place
in the Final.
Recently voted
the best goalkeeper in Africa, and could
win the Afcon Best Goalie award on
Sunday. Won two MVP awards in
Nigeria’s three matches at the 2010 FIFA
World Cup. Current Club: Maccabi Tel Aviv
(Israel)
Elderson
ECHIEJILE
(Date of Birth:
20-01-1988)
One of only six
players in the
Nigeria squad
who have
tasted action at
the Cup of
Nations. He was
in Angola in
2010 and
impressed. Also
played at the
FIFA World Cup finals in South Africa.
Gifted and courageous left back with
solid engine who started off at the 2007
FIFA U-20 World Cup in Canada. Scored in
the semi final thumping of Mali.
Current Club: SC Braga (Portugal)
Efe AMBROSE
(Date of Birth:
18-10-1988)
Yet another
former youth
international
who simply
burst onto the
Nations Cup
with plenty of
energy. Played
at the 2007 FIFA
U-20 World Cup
in Canada and
has remained a
regular with the senior team in the past
two years. Has had a great tournament
despite red card in Nigeria’s first match
against Burkina Faso. Current Club: Celtic
FC (Scotland)
Brown IDEYE
(Date of Birth: 10-10-1988)
Ambitious defender who also started off
as a youth international. Scored a couple
of goals at the FIFA U-20 World Cup in
Canada in 2007. Was in the Nigeria
squad at the 2010 FIFA World Cup finals
in South Africa. Has had a remarkable
tournament; scored against Mali on
Wednesday.
Current Club:
Dynamo Kyiv
(Ukraine)
Emmanuel
EMENIKE
(Date of Birth:
10-05-1987)
Well-built striker
who previously
played in
Turkey. Top
scorer of the
tournament
with four goals
and one assist.
Current Club: Spartak Moscow (Russia)
John Mikel OBI
(Date of Birth:
22-04-1987)
Solid defensive
midfielder who
can hold the ball
well and give
defence-
splitting passes.
Another former
youth
international,
who was voted
Second Most
Valuable Player
of the FIFA U-20 World Cup finals in The
Netherlands in 2005. Could be named
MVP of South Africa 2013. Current Club:
Chelsea FC (England)
Victor MOSES
(Date of Birth:
12-12-1990)
Impressive
attacking
midfielder who
played for
England at
junior level
before opting to
represent
fatherland at
senior level.
Scored twice in
the 6-1 mauling
of Liberia in the second leg of the final
qualifying match in Calabar. Has two
goals and one assist in the tournament.
Current Club: Chelsea FC (England)
Godfrey
OBOABONA
(Date of Birth:
16-09-1990)
Calm and
courageous
central defender
who has been
part of Stephen
Keshi’s team all
along. Has also
showcased his
wares with
some of the top
teams and done himself credit. One of
six home-based professionals in the
squad. One of the revelations of the
tournament. Current Club: Sunshine Stars
(Nigeria)
Ogenyi ONAZI
(Date of Birth:
25-12-1992)
Started as a
schoolboy
international
but has earned
respect in a
couple of
friendlies
leading to this
tournament.
Highly mobile
and energetic
midfielder who won silver medal at the
2009 FIFA U-17 World Cup hosted by
Nigeria. One of the revelations of this
tournament, for sure. Current Club: SS
Lazio (Italy)
Sunday MBA
(Date of Birth:
28-11-1988)
Relatively new
forward in the
squad, but
scored both
goals in the 2-0
defeat of Liberia
in an
international
friendly in
Monrovia in
February 2012.
Bold and
ambitious, and one of six professionals
from the Nigeria League. Scored an
audacious winner against Cote d’Ivoire
in the last eight and has been excellent.
Current Club: Enugu Rangers (Nigeria)
Kenneth
OMERUO
(Date of Birth:
17-01-1993)
Talented young
defender who
has been
magnificent in
his first Africa
Cup of Nations.
Started as a
schoolboy
international
and won silver
medal at the
2009 FIFA U-17
World Cup that Nigeria hosted. On loan in
The Netherlands from English club,
Chelsea FC. Current Club: ADO Den Haag
(Netherlands)