Last week Super Eagles coach Stephen Keshi released a list of players for the Mexico friendly as part of preparations for the World Cup. Almost certainly that list is going to be decisive regarding which players make the trip to Brazil.
Keshi gave invitations to some new faces which include former junior internationals Ramon Azeez and Shehu Abdullahi, as well as Belgium-based strikers Imoh Ezekiel and Michael Uchebo.
The usual guys like goalkeepers Vincent Enyeama and Austin Ejide, as well as defenders Elderson Echiejile, Efe Ambrose, Godfrey Oboabona, Azubuike Egwuekwe and Kenneth Omeruoare also in the party to Atlanta for the March 5 friendly.
Midfielders Mikel Obi and Ogenyi Onazi, alongside forwards Ahmed Musa, Shola Ameobi, Victor Moses, Emmanuel Emenike and Obinna Nsofor, also made the list.
Ejike Uzoenyi, the Most Valuable Player (MVP) at the 2014 African Nations Championship (CHAN), was invited. Also invited were Israel-based defender Juwon Oshaniwa, Canada-based striker Bright Dike and Kunle Odunlami, the home-based Super Eagles defender who made CAF’s list of Best Eleven at the 2014 CHAN.
But if there are names that have raised some eyebrows, they are those of Joseph Yobo and Ikechukwu Uche. Team Skipper Yobo is making a return after being left out since the AFCON triumph in 2013. His return to England with Norwich City may have something to do with his recall, although some argue that he should have been quietly eased out completely as was already the case. The thinking in certain quarters is that the former Fenerbahce man has nothing to offer the World Cup bound team.
That is neither here nor there. It is the exclusion of Uche that has really spawned so much sentiment. Does the fact that the Villarreal man is not in the list foreclose his making the World Cup party? Uche has been brilliant for his Spanish club, scoring goals after goals.
Keshi has repeatedly said that everyone has a chance to fight for a seat on the plane to South America. So why is Uche being continuously overlooked? Has it got anything to do with just his not too impressive outing at the AFCON in 2013? Apparently not!
It transpired that Uche had a bust up with Keshi during the Nations Cup in South Africa. Frustrated at having only a bit role during the championship, the former Getafe forward allegedly flew off the handle and he and the Big Boss had to be pulled apart.
Undoubtedly Uche is Nigeria’s best striker on current form, but it is also trite that no coach will want to have anything to do with an undisciplined player whose presence could disrupt the rhythm in his team. Aime Jacquet refused to take Eric Cantona and David Ginola to the World Cup in France 1998 even though they were on top of their game. The France coach didn’t want the extra baggage Cantona brought.
Thankfully France won the World Cup that year. But what if they had not won, won’t the decision to leave out his best players not have come back to haunt him?
The Uche situation is one that needs to be handled with care. Keshi is like a father to the players and he should be able to find it within him to give a second chance especially if the players show remorse and are contrite enough.
Three football pundits give their opinions on the list and the issues it has generated.
First up is fa ormer Eagles midfielder and ex-Chairman Lagos state Football Association Waidi Akanni.
“I think the list is a good one. Keshi is giving opportunities to different players to showcase what they are capable of doing,” notes Akanni.
“Yobo making a return is also a good thing. He now has another chance to prove to doubters that he can still be useful to the team and I should also add that playing a top team like Mexico before the World Cup is something that gives me cheer. It provides a platform to see the players that can measure up.
“However it is also my belief that players like Osaze (Odemwingie) and Uche no matter what they did in the past should be given the chance to come back. I hope before the World Cup Keshi invites these players, not to do so will mean that he has a personal thing against them.”
Former Super Eagles assistant coach Joe Erico weighs in.
“Yobo has moved back to the Premier League but it remains to be seen if he can retain or sustain form overtime,” says Erico.
“Uche and Osaze’s case bothers on indiscipline. Uche is doing so well so on that score he can be pardoned, Osaze on the other hand has not been doing so well, and if I’m to advice Keshi I will say he should forget about Osaze. He has proven overtime to be undisciplined and he will be a bad influence.”
Frank Ilaboya, pundit and board member Edo Football Association is surprised at the continued exclusion of Uche from Kesghi’s plans.
“I’m surprised that Keshi has failed, I won’t say refused, to recall Uche to the team for whatever reason. I read somewhere that Uche situation has to do with indiscipline and I must say that I’m surprised to hear that. The Uche I know is an unassuming, disciplined boy. If the story is true it is something to be condemned,” points out Ilaboya.
“Having said that, Uche is currently our best striker and we can’t depend on only (Emmanuel) Emenike. Again I think Keshi can manage Uche; I don’t think for whatever reason Uche should be left out of the World Cup. Diego Maradona was not the most disciplined player but he always delivered for Argentina. So I think there is a way Keshi can manage indiscipline in a couple of players and still get good output from them.”
By: Vincent Eboigbe
