Sports - Nigerian Coach Stephen Keshi Wants Ameobi In His Squad

Nigeria coach Stephen Keshi says he will give striker Shola Ameobi a chance to represent his country of birth at the 2013 African Cup of Nations.

The Newcastle striker has played for England Under-21s but has not featured for the senior team and was cleared by Fifa in November to switch nationality.

And Keshi is eager to persuade the 31-year-old to be part of his plans. "Shola is a good striker and he has a chance to be on the plane to South Africa," Keshi told reporters.

"I've been watching him closely and he's got something unique. He will definitely bring something different to the attack.

"I have Shola and [Everton striker] Victor Anichebe in my striking plans. "I will give them, Obinna Nsofor, Obafemi Martins, Chinedu Obasi and others a chance to fight for a place alongside other strikers."

Keshi's side qualified for next year's Nations Cup after beating Liberia 6-1 on Saturday to record an aggregate 8-3 win.

And the coach is clearly intent on optimising the Super Eagles' chances of success by trying once more to get Ameobi on board.

Ameobi, who was born in Zaria, northern Nigeria, before moving to England with his parents at the age of five, was first called up by Nigeria 11 years ago but rejected the chance to play for them.

However, he recently changed his mind and he was in line for his Nigeria debut in February 2011 in the botched friendly against Guatemala but stayed away because Fifa was considering his nationality switch application.