“My birthday wish is that we win and win well on Sunday so that I can now throw a party,” he said during dinner on Saturday
Browsing: Shola Ameobi
Ameobi, in a chat with The Eagle Online at the swimming pool side of the Bolton White Apartment Camp of the Eagles in Abuja, confessed that it took him so long to finally get the opportunity to play for his fatherland, Nigeria, and he considered it a rare privilege and would risk anything to ensure Nigeria emerges victorious against host team, Ethiopia, if he is fielded in the match
Igiebor said: “We were meeting and meeting and at the end of the day, I still had to make my reservations but I am ready
The Newcastle danger man, who banged in a goal on his home debut against the Flames of Malawi in Calabar, Cross River State, will be hoping for more goals as the African Champions set out for the kill against the Walyas Antelopes of Ethiopia
It was then reported that Sammy was impressive while with the Nigerian junior national team so he was disappointed that he could not make the cut despite playing regularly for Everton
“It was a nice moment for their family,” he said. “Shola has looked the best I’ve seen him pre-season. I think the Nigeria selection has given him a boost. I can see it in his eyes
Ameobi has said that he feels it may be time for him to move on, but Pardew said: “My position is clear on all the players – if there is a situation where it’s right for the player and the club, then we’ll move the player on
“He’s worked very hard in the off-season and in pre-season to prove to the manager he’s ready for a role in the team. It’s looking positive
Among the early birds were late call ups James Okwuosa and Gege Soriola, who are both based in South Africa
Ameobi’s sudden change of heart appears to be due to Newcastle’s decision to actively look for a new striker to work with Papiss Cisse and new arrival, Loic Remy
The striker suffered a dead leg after scoring what turned out to be the only goal of the game at Blackpool
The Magpies stalwart has been linked with several moves this summer, linking him to Championship sides Sheffield Wednesday and Middlesborough
It followed his strike in Saturday’s 1-3 defeat to Rio Ave, and Pardew sees Ameobi as having a role to play over the coming campaign.
“Shola’s a player that’s under contract here,” Pardew said
The Super Eagles resumed their preparations for the second leg tie against Cote D’ Ivoire in Abuja on Monday evening, with the coaching crew concentrating on shooting and accuracy in front of goal
Newcastle boss, Alan Pardew, said: “The most worrying thing about the game is that it looks like Shola has hurt his arm and is now off for an X-ray. Right now, I don’t know how bad he is. It’s not a position (striker) we can lose someone right now
Nimble-footed Chelsea FC ace, Victor Moses, is also back and while goalkeeper and skipper Vincent Enyeama is left out, sharp-shooting Obinna Nsofor returns after nearly two years in the international wilderness
Wednesday were one of the clubs believed to be looking at the physical frontman but Jones has distanced the South Yorkshire outfit from the Toon forward
Last season, United blocked Nigeria’s bid to call up the big striker for the African Cup of Nations in South Africa
This was contained in a statement signed by the Super Eagles’ Media Officer, Ben Alaiya, on Thursday
Competent source informed that there are two clubs from the UAE Arabian Gulf League looking at securing the services of Ameobi, who appears to be one of a number of players set to leave United since the arrival of Joe Kinnear as Director of Football last month