Players Sweating as Nigeria Prepares....

This is the time when players hope to make their country's World Cup squad. For Nigeria, it is not different. Not only are players praying and hoping, agents are working overtime to get their clients invitations to the national team. Thus, in the last few weeks and in the coming months many names will be put forward as viable candidates to be invited to the Super Eagles. Unfortunately, only 23 will make the squad going to Brazil. In this piece, I point to players (besides their names are the number of current appearances for Nigeria) that fall under different SWEAT categories. By sweat we mean those players who are duly hoping to be the squad but do not hold the position of the Mikel Obis, Victor Moses, or Godfrey Oboabona who are certain of going to Brazil bar injuries.

This is strictly my opinion and feel free to respond and tell me what you think.


MAY BE ON THE WAY OUT AFTER CRITICAL ROLES (50% chance)

These are players who at one time or the other were key players of the squad or were very close to becoming key players but must now be considered in danger of not making it to Brazil unless they put in stunning performances going forward. Below are my top four in this category.

1. Gabriel Reuben (10)
2. Sunday Mba (21)
3. Bright Dike (2)
4. Fegor Ogude (17)


HOPING BUT MAY NOT GET A LOOK IN (10-15% chance)

These players are yet to be called up by Coach Keshi in spite of public pressure to do so. The clock is ticking and the question is how much chance do they have? I think only between 10-15% chance to get in. The top three are listed below.

1. Imoh Ezekeil (0)
2. Lukman Haruna (7)
3. Kelechi Iheanacho (0)


LITTLE CHANCE TO MAKE SQUAD (Less 10%)

In spite of media rhetoric by Keshi, I think each of these players have less than 10% chance of getting an invitation to the World Cup squad.

1. Joseph Yobo (93)
2. Peter Odemwingie (58)
3. Sone Aluko (2)
4. Ikechukwu Uche (45)
5. Taye Taiwo (55)
6. Chinedu Obasi (22)
7. Kalu Uche (34)







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