Shola's World Cup dream could lead to Magpies exit

Ameobi is with the Nigeria squad in Calabar today hoping to preserve a 2-1 lead over Ethiopia when the two countries face each other in the second leg of the play-off to qualify for the Brazil finals.

The prospect of reaching next summer's showpiece is something the Magpies front-man feared had gone after 13 years struggling to break on to the international scene.

Now he is a regular fixture in coach Stephen Keshi's Super Eagles squad and, given he is due to become a free agent during the World Cup, Ameobi knows 2014 could be one of biggest of his career.

He said: "I am not one to look too far ahead. But I know it is a big year for me. I have been at Newcastle almost all of my career and it could be a fresh start, a change, which I am excited about. If I can go to the World Cup and do well anything could happen.

"It is a big season before that though, there are a lot of good players Nigeria can pick from so the priority is to play well for Newcastle, get in the team and play well. If I can do that I have a better chance of being in the Nigeria squad."

The opportunity to play for Nigeria, where he was born in the city of Zaria before moving to Tyneside aged five, excites him, even though there was a genuine chance of playing for England not long ago.

After a string of fine displays for England's Under-21s, scoring eight times in 21 appearances, Sven-Goran Eriksson was close to handing him a call for the senior team.

Ahead of a friendly with Ukraine in 2004, Eriksson said: "Shola's progression from the Under-21s was bound to come this season at some stage. Shola has always been in my thoughts. I like him."

Ameobi now laughs about such times, but he is determined to savour international caps at such a late stage in his career.

"That was a long time ago," he said. "It is surreal really when you think about it. I was 21 at the time, a lot going on and the world at my feet. That was all about getting into the Newcastle team back then. To think that another opportunity has come up now with Nigeria is a great feeling.

"It was disappointing never to get called up for the main squad. I was a player who always wanted to play at the highest level. That is all I ever wanted to do. I wanted to play international football.

"There are players in squads you never thought would make it who did. In that respect it is very inspiring. It just shows you what hard work can do. It has been great to think the Nigerian coach has recognised what I can bring to the squad."

Ameobi hopes his fifth cap for Nigeria arrives against Ethiopia today and to be a part of the squad at this stage of qualification excites him; given how he had to withdraw from his country's push for Africa Cup of Nations glory in January.

"It has been a dream this late in my career," he said. "To be given a chance to do something I cherish, represent the country of my birth, I had to jump at that. The manager has asked me to come on board even after what happened at Christmas and that's something I didn't think would happen.

"Everything that did happen I had to explain. I basically gave my word to Newcastle when I signed my contract that if Papiss Cisse and Demba Ba had to go to the finals, I couldn't. I feel the fact I missed the Africa Cup of Nations would cost me World Cup hopes? Newcastle didn't want me to go.

"I gave my world about the Africa Nations, nothing else. I was disappointed not to play in it but I am a man of my word and I had to stand by what I said. Everything is fine now and life goes on and I am pleased I have this opportunity."

First up, though, is today's tricky test with the emerging football nation of Ethiopia. Ameobi said: "I always thought I would be sat in a bar watching the World Cup. I might get a chance to play in it now.

"I know nothing about being at a championships of that magnitude and it is refreshing at my age to think about having that chance. I am experienced enough to know I might not get that chance again. I will be doing everything I can to get there."