Brazil 2014 Journey: Now that the List is out....

By Amos Joseph

Journalists, football enthusiasts both home and abroad waited, longed and kept late night just for one thing.... The List!

Ask me, who is that one man capable of holding the nation to ransom with a decision, and I'll simply answer, Mr President. But on the contrary Coach Stephen Okechukwu Keshi proven to be in such a position while he held on to the Super Eagles 23-man squad and until midnite as he left Nigerians waiting.

Releasing the list ordinarily ought not to have generated much controversy but the names on it just like every other nation participating in the World Cup.

As it is often said, "different strokes for different folks". To all players in the squad it would be a lifetime experience playing in the world cup, to a few it it is simply one and only chance while to some it is the last gasp, to others it is a chance and there will be another.

Keshi has overtime proven to be in charge of the Eagles without any interference. He selected his choice of players from the a pool and clarified every question that arose knowing fully well that he would be held responsible for the outcome.

The inclusion of Home-based players in his 30-man squad for camping was lauded and appreciated by all and this cannot be separated from the impressive performance of the lads he took to the Nations Cup without forgetting CHAN in 2013.

It is important to mention that Keshi has given hope to the home-based players that they are available for selection as long as he remains the head coach of the senior national team.

June 2, 2014 will be a memorable day in the life of these players both the selected and those that could not make the cut.

Home based Goalkeeper Daniel Akpeyi, midfielder Joel Obi, South Africa 2013 hero Sunday Mba, Nosa Igiebor, 2014 CHAN most valuable player Ejike Uzoenyi, Olympic Silver Medalist Obinna Nsofor and Nnamdi Oduamadi all left out of the squad.

GOALKEEPERS: Vincent Enyeama, Austin Ejide, Chigozie Agbim

DEFENDERS: Joseph Yobo, Elderson Echiejile, Juwon Oshaniwa,
Godfrey Oboabona, Azubuike Egwuekwe, Kenneth Omeruo, Efe
Ambrose, Kunle Odunlami

MIDFIELDERS: John Mikel Obi, Ogenyi Onazi, Ramon Azeez,
Michael Uchebo, Reuben Gabriel

FORWARDS: Osaze Odemwingie, Ahmed Musa, Shola Ameobi,
Emmanuel Emenike, Babatunde Michael, Victor Moses, Uche
Nwofor.

Now that the names of the 23-man Army for the Brazil 2014 is out, it is time to heed to the clarion call with five star performance beginning from tonight when they take on Greece in a warm-up match.

The golden chance to show what stuff they are made of is now. Nigerians have faith but the place of fate cannot be overruled as the Eagles file out against Iran, Bosnia Herzegovina and Argentina.