Nigeria rest Enyeama and Yobo
Reuters - Wednesday 03 November 2010, 13:56
LAGOS - Nigeria have rested their best
player Vincent Enyeama and their captain from this year's World
Cup, Joseph Yobo, for a friendly international against Iran
later this month.
However, the Nigerian Football Federation, naming a 20-man
squad for the November 17 game in Tehran, said they had left out
goalkeeper Enyeama and central defender Yobo only to give
younger players international experience.
"There is nothing to be read into this decision. We just
want to build depth for the squad," said Emmanuel Ikpeme, head
of the federation's technical department.
Caretaker coach Austin Eguavoen, who also left out Chelsea
midfielder John Obi Mikel, did include West Bromwich Albion
striker Peter Odemwingie and Victor Obinna in the squad.
Yobo captained Nigeria in two of their three matches at the
World Cup in South Africa while Enyeama earned rave reviews for
some startling saves at the tournament.