Nwofor makes case for more Eagles call-ups

Uche Nwofor fired a brace against South Africa on Wednesday to make a big case for players on the fringes of the Super Eagles to be given a chance sooner rather than later.

Former Flying Eagles star Nwofor displayed a top striker’s predatory instincts with two well-taken goals on his full international debut.

The VVV Venlo striker, who has been recently linked with a move to the English Premier League, most certainly enhanced his chances of now being part of coach Stephen Keshi’s plans going forward.

Nwofor’s goals made sure that the team’s star striker Emmanuel Emenike was not missed as was the case at the FIFA Confederations Cup in Brazil in June.

Obinna Nsofor back to the team after two years in the international wilderness also looked lively and a threat going forward to justify his return.

At the Confederations Cup, the Eagles were short of firepower, but on the evidence of Wednesday’s win against South Africa, there are many positives to take away especially when the team attacked.

Keshi’s core team remain players from the squad who won a third Africa Cup of Nations in February, but after what Nwofor showed on Wednesday night in Durban, he will most likely have to spread his dragnet a little further in search of more options for his team.

Keshi will most likely stick to this nucleus when Nigeria host Malawi on September 7 in a decisive 2014 World Cup qualifier and hopefully too for the final qualifying rounds for Brazil in October and November.

But it is expected that after the ticket to Brazil 2014 has been secured he will have a look at some other players who deserve to be flying with the Eagles.

Options in attack for the ‘Big Boss’ would include Michael Eneramo (Besiktas, Turkey), Macauley Chrisantus (Las Palmas, Spain), Umar Aminu (Samsunspor, Turkey), Tony Edjomarigwe (Shooting Stars) and John Chibuike (Rosenborg, Norway).

In midfield, the Eagles still need more creativity and so a call be put through to Raheem Lawal (Mersin, Turkey), Emmanuel Ekpo (Molde, Norway) and Abdullahi Hassan ‘Muazam’.

Competition in the defence could be improved with invitations to Gbenga Arokoyo (Mjallby, Sweden), Akeem Latifu (Aalesund, Norway), Wilfred Ndidi (Nath Boys) and Kingsley Madu (El Kanemi).

Goalkeepers Vincent Enyeama and Austin Ejide could be kept on their toes with the Eagles having another look at the likes of Greg Etafia and Dele Aiyenugba.

(MTNFOOTBALL)