Ameobi is fit and healthy – Keshi

Nigeria's head coach Stephen Keshi has dispelled rumours that Shola Ameobi will not be fit for the Super Eagles' outing at the Mandela Challenge Cup after he sustained an injury over the weekend.

During a friendly between his English club Newcastle and Portuguese side Rio Ave, Ameobi came from the bench to score in their 1-3 defeat but was substituted after an energetic challenge from an opponent.

After talking with the former English U21 star, Keshi said that Ameobi had only a knock on the arm and that he will be on the plane for the friendly against South Africa on August 14.

'I have spoken to Shola and the guy is fit and healthy and will be available for the Mandela Challenge. He told me so himself, so any other news to the contrary I don't believe,' Keshi said to the Vanguard.