Stephen Keshi leaves door open for Newcastle's Shola Amoebi

Super Eagles coach Stephen Keshi has said his door remains open for Newcastle United striker Shola Ameobi to feature for Nigeria.

World football governing body FIFA on November 1, 2011, cleared Ameobi alongside Victor Moses to play for Nigeria after both players chose their country of birth over England that they have represented at various age-group levels.

Moses has since made his debut for the Eagles in a 2013 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Rwanda where he shone like a million stars but team officials said Ameobi has yet to decide on his debut for the Eagles.

"Shola is always welcome to the national team when he is ready to play. It's Nigeria's national team and he is a Nigerian so our doors are open to him whenever he is ready," Keshi said.

The Eagles coach noted that he would not send invitation to the experienced Newcastle striker until the player has confirmed his readiness to play.

"Like I have said before, as soon as he confirms his readiness to play, we would extend him an invitation, but until then I will not send him invitation," he said.

Ameobi's younger brother, Sammy, who also features for Newcastle, trained with Nigeria's U20 team, the Flying Eagles, last year, but he has since debuted for the England U20s.

Daily Trust

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