NFF to drag Rabiu Ibrahim to Super Eagles

“But for the U-20 World Cup, Rabiu would have been included in the 30-man squad for next month’s World Cup qualifier against Mozambique in Abuja. We believe he has what it takes to make it at this level.”

The Sporting Lisbon youngster is therefore expected to top the list of invitees for Nigeria’s World Cup qualifier away to Kenya in November.

Berti Vogts first invited Ibrahim to the Eagles squad prior to the 2008 Africa Cup of Nations, but a groin injury prevented him from joining up with the team in Malaga, Spain.

Ibrahim, 18, will be one of the stars to watch as the World Youth Championship begins in Cairo, with Nigeria up against Venezuela on Friday in a group match. Tahiti and Spain are the other teams in Nigeria’s first round group.

The former schoolboy international has already attracted special praise from Eagles coach Shuaibu Amodu, who told Goal.com recently that Ibrahim will figure prominently in his plans as he shops for a creative midfielder.

Amodu is expected to make public his squad for the Mozambique clash later this week, and sources said there will no less than a dozen additions to the team who faced Tunisia earlier this month.

Besides Wolfsburg striker Obafemi Martins and Bolton Wanderers defender Danny Shittu, CSKA defender Chidi Odiah has been recalled along with Dickson Etuhu, Everton striker Yakubu Aiyegbeni, Sam Sodje and Club Brugge forward Joseph Akpala.

Ever-consistent Moroka Swallows goalkeeper Greg Etafia has been considered ahead of Bastia goalkeeper Austin Ejide.

Bayelsa United star Chibuzor Okonkwo has been handed yet another chance to star for the full international team after a superb outing at last year’s Beijing Olympics, in which Nigeria lost in the final to Argentina.