2014 World Cup: Stephen Keshi excludes AFCON hero Mba from Nigeria final squad

Obinna Nsofor, Sunday Mba, Ejike Uzoenyi and Joel Obi were the major casualties as Nigeria coach Stephen Keshi picked his final squad for the World Cup on Monday.

Nsofor has battled injury recently, while it was something of a surprise that AFCON hero Sunday Mba, CHAN MVP Ejike Uzoenyi and Nosa Igiebor will not be on the flight to Brazil.

Italy-based midfielder Joel Obi's promising career has been blighted by injuries.

The other players axed were Warri Wolves goalkeeper Daniel Akpeyi and Nnamdi Oduamadi.

Skipper Joseph Yobo and Osaze Odemwingie extended their recent comeback to the team as they made the cut.

Altogether, 16 players from the squad who won last year's Africa Cup of Nations in South Africa will now be heading to Brazil.

Striker Shola Ameobi, who was stopped from the AFCON by his English Premier League club Newcastle United, leads the seven additions namely Odemwingie, Michael Uchebo, Kunle Odunlami, Ramon Azeez, Uche Nwofor and Babatunde Michael.

The full squad:
Goalkeepers:  Vincent Enyeama (Lille/FRA), Chigozie Agbim (Gombe United), Austin Ejide (Hapoel Be'er Sheva /ISR)

Defenders : Elderson Echiejile (Monaco/FRA), Efe Ambrose (Celtic FC/SCO), Godfrey Oboabona (Rizespor/TUR),Azubuike Egwuekwe (Warri Wolves), Kenneth Omeruo (Middlesbrough/ENG), Juwon Oshaniwa (Ashdod FC/ISR), Joseph Yobo (Norwich City/ENG), Kunle Odunlami (Sunshine Stars)

Midfielders : Mikel Obi (Chelsea/ENG), Ogenyi Onazi (Lazio/ITA), Gabriel Reuben (Beveren/BEL),

Michael Uchebo (Cercle Brugge/BEL), Ramon Azeez (Almeria/SPA)

Forwards:  Ahmed Musa (CSKA Moscow/RUS), Shola Ameobi (Newcastle United/ENG), Victor Moses (Chelsea/ENG), Emmanuel Emenike (Fenerbahce/TUR), Osaze Odemwingie, (Stoke City/ENG),Uche Nwofor (Heerenveen/NED), Babatunde Michael (Volyn/UKR)