Ameobi thrilled to make Eagles return

Shola Ameobi joined up with the rest of the Nigeria squad on Monday afternoon and declared that he was thrilled to be back. 

The Newcastle forward had committed his international future to Nigeria after a protracted process to secure his nationality switch, and eventually made his debut for Nigeria against Venezuela.

But contractual constraints prevented him from making Nigeria's squad to the African Nations Cup. With the encumbrance removed, Ameobi was called up for the friendly against South Africa, and was quick to express his delight. 

“I am so happy to be back with these set of players who always show me love and care and I promise from now on to always give my best to the team," he said.

Ameobi in arrived South Africa at lunchtime along with stand-in captain Austin Ejide.

Earlier, head coach Stephen Keshi led a team of four players, Chigozie Agbim, Godfrey Oboabona, Sunday Mba and Azubuike Egwuekwe in from Nigeria.

They were met on arrival at the hotel by Obinna Nsofor, Elderson Echiejile and the South Africa-based pair of Gege Soriola and James Okwuosa.

Other early comers include Uche Nwofor, Efe Ambrose, Ogenyi Onazi and Brown Ideye Only three players, John Mikel Obi, Victor Moses and Fegor Ogude are expected on Tuesday morning in Durban on time for Wednesday's prestige Mandela Challenge friendly against Bafana Bafana at the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban, South Africa.

Kick-off is at 19h15 Nigeria time.

Nigeria squad to face Bafana:

Goalkeepers: Austin Ejide (Hapoel Be’er Sheva, Israel), Chigozie Agbim (Enugu Rangers, Nigeria)

Defenders: Efe Ambrose (Celtic, Scotland), Godfrey Oboabona (Sunshine Stars, Nigeria), Azubuike Egwuekwe (Warri Wolves, Nigeria), Elderson Echiejile (Sporting Braga, Portugal), James Okwuosa (Chippa United, SA), Gege Soriola (Free State Stars, SA),

Midfielders: John Mikel Obi (Chelsea, England), Fegor Ogude (Valerenga, Norway), Victor Moses (Chelsea, England), John Ogu (Academica de Coimbra, Portugal), Ogenyi Onazi (Lazio, Italy), Nnamdi Oduamadi (AC Milan, Italy), Sunday Mba (Enugu Rangers, Nigeria)

Forwards: Ahmed Musa (CSKA Moscow, Russia), Brown Ideye (Dynamo Kiev, Ukraine), Shola Ameobi (Newcastle United, England), Obinna Nsofor (Lokomotiv Moscow, Russia), Uche Nwofor (VVV Venlo, Netherlands)