Stephen Keshi releases final list of 23.

Chelsea midfielder Mikel Obi, Joseph Yobo made Nigeria’s final list as expected to the 2013 Africa Nations Cup starting January 19 in South Africa. They lead 21 others including Ukraine-based Brown Ideye who made the team despite originally being rumoured as cut from the team by coach Stephen Keshi. The Nigeria coached released the final team list while the country engaged Cape Verde in a friendly match in Faro, Portugal Wednesday night. The match ended goalless.

Nigeria Captain Joseph Yobo will play in his sixth Africa Cup of Nations finals. The 32-year old defender had previously played at the 2002, 2004, 2006, 2008 and 2010 finals, winning bronze on four occasions.
Vice captain and first choice goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama and forward Ikechukwu Uche are also included in the team that Keshi held on to the list insisting he could only make public after the first half of the Wednesday match. January 9 was the last day for submission of team list according to the Confederation of African timetable.

Continue after the cut to see the full list . . .

Final list:

Goalkeepers: Vincent Enyeama (Maccabi Tel Aviv, Israel); Austin Ejide (Hapoel Be’er Sheba, Israel); Chigozie Agbim (Enugu Rangers, Nigeria)

Defenders: Elderson Echiejile (SC Braga, Portugal); Juwon Oshaniwa (Ashdod FC, Israel); Joseph Yobo (Fenerbahce, Turkey); Efe Ambrose (Celtic FC, Scotland); Azubuike Egwuekwe (Warri Wolves, Nigeria); Kenneth Omeruo (ADO Den Haag, Netherlands); Godfrey Oboabona (Sunshine Stars, Nigeria).

Midfielders: John Mikel Obi (Chelsea FC, England); Nosa Igiebor (Real Betis, Spain); Ogenyi Onazi (SS Lazio, Italy); Obiora Nwankwo (Calcio Padova, Italy); Fegor Ogude (Valerenga FC, Norway); Reuben Gabriel (Kano Pillars, Nigeria);

Forwards: Ahmed Musa ( CSKA Moscow, Russia); Emmanuel Emenike (Spartak Moscow, Russia); Victor Moses (Chelsea FC, England); Sunday Mba (Enugu Rangers, Nigeria); Ikechukwu Uche (Villarreal FC, Spain); Brown Ideye (Dynamo Kyiv, Ukraine); Ejike Uzoenyi (Enugu Rangers, Nigeria).