Nigeria coach Stephen Keshi wants the Nigerians to back his reshuffled team ahead of next month's Africa Cup of Nations. Keshi dropped some key figures with the likes of Osaze Odemwingie, Obafemi Martins and Taye Taiwo and has been under fierce criticism since then. “All we want for now from Nigerians is to support the players that are there in prayers,” Keshi told a press conference on Sunday. The former Togo and Mali coach has named a 32-man provisional squad and included two uncapped players Rabiu Ibrahim from Celtic and Kenneth Omeruo from Dutch club ADO Den Haag on loan from Chelsea. “We don't need Osaze right now; that is all. He is not a bad player and there is nothing personal about it. It is just that at this point in time, there are some players that were not called and we don't have anything against them. “We also did not invite Obafemi Martins, why are Nigerians not talking about him? “These players are not the only Nigerians playing; this is what we want for now,” he concluded. Nigeria will camp in Portugal on 27 December ahead of the competition on 19 January. Squad: Goalkeepers: Vincent Enyeama (Maccabi Tel Aviv/ISR), Austin Ejide (Hapoel Be'er Sheba/ISR), Chigozie Agbim (Enugu Rangers/ NGR), Daniel Akpeyi (Heartland/NGR). Defenders: Elderson Echiejile (FC Braga/POR), Juwon Oshaniwa (Ashdod FC/ISR), Benjamin Francis (Heartland/NGR), Joseph Yobo (Fenerbahce/TUR), Efe Ambrose (Celtic/SCO), Solomon Kwambe (Sunshine Stars/NGR), Azubuike Egwuekwe (Warri Wolves/NGR), Danny Shittu (Millwall/ENG); Kenneth Omeruo (ADO Den Haag/NED), Godfrey Oboabona (Sunshine Stars/NGR) Midfielders: Mikel Obi (Chelsea/ENG), Nosa Igiebor (Real Betis/SPA), Ogenyi Onazi (SS Lazio/ITA), Raheem Lawal (Adana Demirspor/TUR), Obiora Nwankwo (Calcio Padova/ITA), Fegor Ogude (Valerenga/NOR), Gabriel Reuben (Kano Pillars/NGR), Rabiu Ibrahim (Celtic/SCO) Forwards: Ahmed Musa (CSKA Moscow/RUS), Emmanuel Emenike (Spartak Moscow/RUS), Brown Ideye (Dynamo Kiev/UKR), Victor Moses (Chelsea/ENG), Uche Kalu (Rizespor/TUR), Bright Dike (Portland Timbers/ USA), Shola Ameobi (Newcastle/ENG), Ikechukwu Uche (Villarreal/SPA), Ejike Uzoenyi, Sunday Mba (Enugu Rangers/NGR). (For more sports news and updates, follow Ahram Online Sports on Twitter at@AO Sportsand on Facebook atAhramOnlineSports) http://english.ahram.org.eg/News/61233.aspx
