Keshi calls up Agbim, 23 others for CIV

Even as the African champions were rueing several missed chances in the 3-0 defeat to world and European champions Spain at the FIFA Confederations Cup tournament in Brazil, Keshi pencilled down goalkeeper Chigozie Agbim, defenders Azubuike Egwuekwe, Godfrey Oboabona, Solomon Kwambe and Benjamin Francis, midfielders Emeka Eze and Sunday Mba and forward Muhammad Gambo from the squad that were with him in Brazil, and added 14 more from Nigeria’s top-flight and two from the lower division. Returning are goalkeeper Daniel Akpeyi, defender Kunle Odunlami and strikers Obinna Nwachukwu and Gomo Onduku, who were part of the team’s training camp in Germany ahead of the international friendly with Mexico in Texas, USA. Defender Chibuzor Okonkwo, no stranger to the senior team camp, is joined by familiar faces Umar Zango and Ezekiel Bassey, Ayo Saka and Anthony Okputu. Nigeria Professional Football League top scorer Dele Olorundare of Sunshine Stars is joined by former junior international midfielder Olufemi Oladapo. New faces are Mohammed Ajia of Bayelsa United, Enyimba FC’s Ifeanyi Edeh, Pius Samson of Ranch Bees, Festus Ajah of Union Bank FC and Warri Wolves’ Etebo Oghene. The players are expected to report at the Bolton White Apartments, Abuja on Sunday. Meanwhile, the Nigeria Football Federation has announced that the match will be played at the Ahmadu Bello Stadium, Kaduna on Saturday, July 6. “We are happy for the favourable response from the Kaduna State Government, and we have also approached the National Sports Commission for permission to use the Ahmadu Bello Stadium, Kaduna for the encounter. “The grass is excellent and the entire facility is so well-maintained. The Super Eagles will find the place comfortable,” Barrister Musa Amadu, NFF General Secretary who was in Kaduna on Monday, said. LIST OF INVITED PLAYERS Goalkeepers: Chigozie Agbim (Warri Wolves); Daniel Akpeyi (Heartland FC) Defenders: Azubuike Egwuekwe (Warri Wolves); Godfrey Oboabona (Sunshine Stars); Benjamin Francis (Heartland FC); Kunle Odunlami (Sunshine Stars); Ezekiel Bassey (Lobi Stars); Umar Zango (Kano Pillars); Solomon Kwambe (Sunshine Stars); Chibuzor Okonkwo (Enugu Rangers) Midfielders: Sunday Mba (Enugu Rangers); Ayo Saka (Enyimba FC); Olufemi Oladapo (3SC); Emeka Eze (Enugu Rangers); Mohammed Ajia (Bayelsa United) Forwards: Muhammad Gambo (Kano Pillars); Obinna Nwachukwu (Heartland FC); Gomo Onduku (Bayelsa United); Ifeanyi Edeh (Enyimba FC); Anthony Okputu (Lobi Stars); Pius Samson (Ranch Bees); Festus Ajah (Union Bank); Etebo Oghene (Warri Wolves); Dele Olorundare (Sunshine Stars)

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Juventus step up Tevez summer swoop

Juventus will step up their bid to sign Carlos Tevez this week as Real Madrid and AC Milan continue to monitor the Manchester City striker. The Serie A champions are set to begin formal talks with City ahead of a concerted move for the Argentine. It is understood that Juventus have held fresh talks with Tevez's representatives in recent days and are close to agreeing personal terms with the 29-year-old. Negotiations have not yet taken place on a fee for the Argentina international and Bianconeri officials are set to fly to the north west to iron out a deal and ward off interest from other clubs. Milan have long held an interest in Tevez and could join City at the negotiating table if they complete the sale of Robinho back to Brazil, with CEO Adriano Galliani stressing the need to sell before buying. Incoming Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti is also a big admirer of Tevez and is believed to have told his new club that he would welcome the player at the Santiago Bernabeu next season. Los Blancos, however, have placed Isco, Edinson Cavani and Gareth Bale at the top of their summer wish list. Tevez has agitated for a move during much of his four-year spell at the Etihad Stadium and, with his contract expiring in 12 months' time, City could be ready to off-load him in the knowledge that he could walk away for free in 2014. Liverpool had discussed the possibility of a move for the former Manchester United striker earlier in the summer before pursuing other targets, while Monaco's interest has diminished after landing Radamel Falcao. Juventus have agreed personal terms with Gonzalo Higuain but have baulked at his €23 million-plus asking price and are set to lose out to Arsenal in the chase for Real Madrid striker. Higuain's fellow Argentine, Tevez, is four years older and his fee is unlikely to be much beyond €11m. City are also willing to listen to offers for Edin Dzeko, and had offered him in part-exchange for Edinson Cavani. However, after failing to meet Napoli's asking price for the Uruguayan, the Premier League club might only be prepared to sell one of Dzeko and Tevez, not both.

Nigeria legend Ben Iroha wants Odemwingie & others recalled

Former Nigeria left back Benedict Iroha has asked Super Eagles coach Stephen Keshi to bring back into the team experienced players like Peter Odemwingie, Victor Anichebe, Ikechukwu Uche and Kalu Uche to further strengthen the team. Iroha disclosed that it was high time for Keshi to recall these players after Nigeria were eliminated following a 3-0 loss to Spain on Sunday in the Confederations Cup. "I don't think it is a difficult issue for Keshi to bring back Osaze Odemwingie, Victor Anichebe, Ikechukwu Uche, Kalu Uche to compliment the good work of Emmanuel Emenike, Victor Moses and others to further strengthen this team,”  "I know Keshi is gradually working on this team so that we can blend the young and talented players that have done well so far in this team. “We need [Odemwingie] and others back and I am happy that he himself said it on his twitter handle that he wants to play for the Eagles again. So this a good omen," the former left back observed. Iroha also defended the performance of the Super Eagles in the Confederations Cup as he believed that the Nigerian team was not disgraced in the competition despite being ousted by world and European Champions Spain. "To be honest with you I am very impressed with the performance of the boys. They were never disgraced in all the three matches they played before being eliminated. "They played a good match against Tahiti and also played beautifully against star-studded Uruguay. They could have even won the game if not for poor marksmanship most especially in the first half. This was later repeated in the third group match against Spain. "Eagles could have wrapped up things in the first half but couldn't convert the begging chances created against the world champions. So in all I think Nigeria played impressively and showed the world that we have got quality. As we know team coach Stephen Keshi is still building this team and the Eagles can only get better with time," Iroha disclosed. Nigeria have a game against Malawi in September as they seek to qualify for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.