Nigeria coach Stephen Keshi has targeted Everton striker Victor Anichebe for a return to his squad as he prepares for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, according to an interview he gave to BBC Sport.
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In May, the Goodison Park forward put his international career on hold to "manage his body correctly," putting his his club before his country, as BBC Sport reported.
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However, Keshi, who guided Nigeria to the African Cup of Nations trophy this year, wants the 25-year- old back in the international fold as his team chase a place at World Cup finals next year.
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The Super Eagles need only a draw with Malawi in September to qualify for the final round of qualification as group winners.
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However, in the five Group F matches so far, Nigeria have not registered more than one goal in each match. In his BBC Sport interview, Keshi says that views Anichebe as a possible answer to this conundrum.
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" Anichebe is a great striker. He is young, strong and gives us several options in attack. I plan to visit him in England and talk to him face to face.
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I need the support of the Nigeria Football Federation to make this happen as soon as possible because we cannot afford to lose a player like Victor Anichebe.
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"Anichebe, who was born in Lagos before moving to Liverpool, began his international career with the England youth squad, but switched allegiances to Nigeria, as BBC Sport reported.
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He made his Super Eagles senior debut in March 2008 in a qualifying game for the Beijing Olympics, and went on to win a silver medal with Nigeria at the Games.
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But Anichebe was controversially omitted from the Nigeria squad by coach Lars Lagerback for the World Cup finals in South Africa in 2010 due to injury, as Sky Sports reported.
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However, Everton released a statement insisting the striker was not injured on their official website, Evertonfc.com.
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Anichebe scored his first senior goal for Nigeria in a friendly against Kenya in March 2011 before picking up his groin injury six months later.
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The Everton man might not be an out-and-out goalscorer, but his strength on the ball would provide Keshi and Nigeria with an ideal target man in the chase for a place at World Cup finals next summer.
Yes, Anichebe is a good striker with pace and strength on the ball. He deserves a place in Super Eagles.
At this juncture, I feel Stephen Keshi is simply confused. He doesn't know what he wants at all...He needs to calm down and select the best.