1. Godfrey Oboabona – The former Sunshine
Stars defender has cemented his place in
the back-four of the Super Eagles defensive
line. His impressive showing at the Nations
Cup in 2013 spurred his move to Turkish
side, Caypor Rizepor.
(L-R) Aaron Samuel, Ahmed Musa and
Godfrey Oboabona during a training session
at the Abuja national stadium on March 22.
During the Keshi era, Oboabona changed the
impression people have about people playing
in the Nigeria Premier League and his
remarkable showing has encouraged other
players in the local league to follow suit.
2. Juwon Oshaniwa – A quality defender like
Oshaniwa is one talent that shone at the
2014 World Cup in Brazil. The former Sharks
of Port Harcourt player rose to prominence
wearing the green and white colours for
Nigeria.
He is presently plying his trade in the
Turkish League with Hearts, but before then
Oshaniwa’s display at the Nations Cup
qualifying round opened the door for a move
to Israeli club, Ashdod in 2012.
3. Victor Moses – The mecurial player has
proven himself over time that he will be the
future captain of the national team and was
one of the favourite talent Keshi relishes.
Victor Moses
His influence of the field of play is similar to
that of Jay Jay Okocha that takes
responsibilities for the team and the Chelsea
attacker has never shown any form of fears
for defenders with bigger frames.
4. Emmanuel Emenike – Many will never
forget the playing days of the powerful
forward. Keshi needed youth and strength
likened to the late Rasheedi Yekini and
Emenike was the right pick for the Big Boss.
Emmanuel Emenike
Emenike became an instant hit with national
team scoring seven goals in 39 appearances
five of them coming at the Nation Cup in
South Africa but retired as a result of
irreconcilable differences with former coach,
Sunday Oliseh.
Nigerians still believe he will make a return
someday.
5. Ogenyi Onazi – Onazi broke into the
national team in 2012 with the view of
adding back up for a creative meidfielder.
Keshi in days played both as a defensive
midfielder and a central defender, bringing
Onazi into lime light was like putting round
pegs on the hole it fits.
Onazi’s versatility in midfield became a plus
to the Super Eagles and he has been never a
big game flop, but a stand-out performer
which has made him an instrumental force in
the squad.
6. Babatunde Micheal – He might be
considered to be a player that has not be
enjoying call-ups after he was discovered by
Keshi but Micheal’s relevance to the
national team is still a fact to reckon with
because over time he has matured into a
tormentor in chief for opponents.
Micheal recently returned to national team in
the friendlies against Mali and Luxembourg
showing there is still many years ahead of
him to play for the Super Eagles.
7. Brown Ideye – Another returneee to the
Super Eagles still has his onions as he
posted an impressive peformance last
campaign for Olympiakos. In lieu of his
performance at the 2015/2016 season, Ideye
had always been a player that has played
second-fidle to the Uche’s an Martins’ of
this world.
Brown Ideye
However he proved critics wrong by
commanding a starting role in the Nigerian
winning team of AFCON 2013 assisting
Emenike and creating chances also scoring
goals.
8. Leon Balogun – Another revelation of
Keshi that Nigeria have immensely
benefitted from is Balogun and irrespective
of the fact that he started from the German
second division, he settled quickly into the
Super Eagles.
Leon Balogun
When Leon came into the Nigeria squad as
right full-back and he gelled immediately
using his pace to support the attack from
the right. The Mainz defender is now being
used as a central defender which has earned
a place in the starting XI.
9. Kenneth Omeruo – After making his
senior debut at the age of 20, Keshi’s
biggest gamble was letting a young lad
marshal Nigeria’s defence line but the
Chelsea loanee never failed to make his
mark.
Super Eagles defender Kenneth Omeruo has
indicated his interest to play for Nigeria at
the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.
There has never been a time Omeruo
defended desperately in difficult
circumstances instead he confidently handle
situations forcing attackers to make
mistakes.
10. John Ogu – Ogu still has the prospects
of returning to the Super Eagles line-up
because his assets are still of high value and
will be needed by Nigeria. The midfielder
blossomed under the Big Boss and even
made him a better player with his eye for
goal and his passing abilities.
John Ogu
[Naij.com http://www.naij.com
Stars defender has cemented his place in
the back-four of the Super Eagles defensive
line. His impressive showing at the Nations
Cup in 2013 spurred his move to Turkish
side, Caypor Rizepor.
(L-R) Aaron Samuel, Ahmed Musa and
Godfrey Oboabona during a training session
at the Abuja national stadium on March 22.
During the Keshi era, Oboabona changed the
impression people have about people playing
in the Nigeria Premier League and his
remarkable showing has encouraged other
players in the local league to follow suit.
2. Juwon Oshaniwa – A quality defender like
Oshaniwa is one talent that shone at the
2014 World Cup in Brazil. The former Sharks
of Port Harcourt player rose to prominence
wearing the green and white colours for
Nigeria.
He is presently plying his trade in the
Turkish League with Hearts, but before then
Oshaniwa’s display at the Nations Cup
qualifying round opened the door for a move
to Israeli club, Ashdod in 2012.
3. Victor Moses – The mecurial player has
proven himself over time that he will be the
future captain of the national team and was
one of the favourite talent Keshi relishes.
Victor Moses
His influence of the field of play is similar to
that of Jay Jay Okocha that takes
responsibilities for the team and the Chelsea
attacker has never shown any form of fears
for defenders with bigger frames.
4. Emmanuel Emenike – Many will never
forget the playing days of the powerful
forward. Keshi needed youth and strength
likened to the late Rasheedi Yekini and
Emenike was the right pick for the Big Boss.
Emmanuel Emenike
Emenike became an instant hit with national
team scoring seven goals in 39 appearances
five of them coming at the Nation Cup in
South Africa but retired as a result of
irreconcilable differences with former coach,
Sunday Oliseh.
Nigerians still believe he will make a return
someday.
5. Ogenyi Onazi – Onazi broke into the
national team in 2012 with the view of
adding back up for a creative meidfielder.
Keshi in days played both as a defensive
midfielder and a central defender, bringing
Onazi into lime light was like putting round
pegs on the hole it fits.
Onazi’s versatility in midfield became a plus
to the Super Eagles and he has been never a
big game flop, but a stand-out performer
which has made him an instrumental force in
the squad.
6. Babatunde Micheal – He might be
considered to be a player that has not be
enjoying call-ups after he was discovered by
Keshi but Micheal’s relevance to the
national team is still a fact to reckon with
because over time he has matured into a
tormentor in chief for opponents.
Micheal recently returned to national team in
the friendlies against Mali and Luxembourg
showing there is still many years ahead of
him to play for the Super Eagles.
7. Brown Ideye – Another returneee to the
Super Eagles still has his onions as he
posted an impressive peformance last
campaign for Olympiakos. In lieu of his
performance at the 2015/2016 season, Ideye
had always been a player that has played
second-fidle to the Uche’s an Martins’ of
this world.
Brown Ideye
However he proved critics wrong by
commanding a starting role in the Nigerian
winning team of AFCON 2013 assisting
Emenike and creating chances also scoring
goals.
8. Leon Balogun – Another revelation of
Keshi that Nigeria have immensely
benefitted from is Balogun and irrespective
of the fact that he started from the German
second division, he settled quickly into the
Super Eagles.
Leon Balogun
When Leon came into the Nigeria squad as
right full-back and he gelled immediately
using his pace to support the attack from
the right. The Mainz defender is now being
used as a central defender which has earned
a place in the starting XI.
9. Kenneth Omeruo – After making his
senior debut at the age of 20, Keshi’s
biggest gamble was letting a young lad
marshal Nigeria’s defence line but the
Chelsea loanee never failed to make his
mark.
Super Eagles defender Kenneth Omeruo has
indicated his interest to play for Nigeria at
the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.
There has never been a time Omeruo
defended desperately in difficult
circumstances instead he confidently handle
situations forcing attackers to make
mistakes.
10. John Ogu – Ogu still has the prospects
of returning to the Super Eagles line-up
because his assets are still of high value and
will be needed by Nigeria. The midfielder
blossomed under the Big Boss and even
made him a better player with his eye for
goal and his passing abilities.
John Ogu
[Naij.com http://www.naij.com
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