Nigeria Calls Up "Ghanaian" for World Cup

LAGOS, May 3 (AFP) -- Nigeria have invited Chievo defender Daniel Ola (who posses a Ghanaian passport) for the World Cup warm-up against China on May 11, team coach Adegboye Onigbinde said Friday.

"Although I have not seen him in action, Ola will get his opportunity against China. His performance in that game will help form our opinion of him," Onigbinde said. The 20-year-old player has featured for Lazio, Swiss second division side Etoile Carouge and King Faisal of Ghana.

The coach said that although he has announced his provisional 35-man squad for the soccer finals in Asia he will still consider some more players until the FIFA deadline for submission of the final squad of 23.

Onigbinde also said he hopes to include at least five players from the local league in his final squad.

"We are of the opinion we need a mix of home and foreign-based players for the World Cup. The local players need to be encouraged. We will therefore be going to the World Cup with no less than five home-based players," he said.

Insurance of Benin 20-year-old midfielder Osaze Odemwengie, whose mother is Russian, is likely to be one of such players after he was singled out by the coach for special mention.

"He's an artist, a complete footballer with a lot of potential and a bright future," said Onigbinde of the uncapped player who has so far scored eight goals in the domestic championship.