Oluwashina Okeleji BBC Sport

Anichebe is set to make his debut against South Africa

The striker was left out of Nigeria's squad for the 2008 African Nations Cup by former coach Berti Vogts.

But Olympic coach Samson Siasia has called him up for the crucial Olympic qualifier against South Africa.

And the 19-year-old Everton striker has told BBC Sport that he cannot wait to finally play for his country of birth on 26 March in Abuja.

"It's good to be invited and I want to be there for the game," said Anichebe, who was born in Nigeria but moved to England when he was still a toddler.

"I have always said any professional footballer has aspirations to play international football and I'm delighted to have been given enough that opportunity by Nigeria.

"All I need to do is sort my travelling plans because we have a game five days before that.

"But like I told them in Nigeria that I will arrive on the 22nd and I'm relishing this chance."

Anichebe dismissed suggestions that he was angry after being overlooked for the African Nations Cup.

"I wasn't disappointed. It happens and there was nothing I could do about it so why should I be disappointed?"