With barely three months to the start of the World Cup in Brazil, several issues are jostling for the front burner. Stephen Keshi’s list for the Mexico friendly next Wednesday raised some concerns in some quarters with regard to the players invited and those not.
The is because the list is viewed, rightly or wrongly as going to be decisive in terms of those who finally make the cut; those not already in the list are seen as likely not going to have a look in. The matter of a foreign technical assistant it seems has been rested for now.
But issues like the best pairings for the various positions will keep popping up right unto the tournament. Immediately after the African Nations Championship (CHAN), where the Super Eagles took bronze, some players who acquitted themselves well were being touted to be part of the trip to Brazil. Ejike Uzoenyi particularly was seen as one player who merits a place in the World Cup team; the strongest argument in his favour being that he is a natural left footer. The impact of a left footer in any side can’t be overemphasised given the options and dimension they provide. The only other natural left sided player in frame for consideration is Sone Aluko. Although the Hull City man has been in fine form for his club, he has not really been a fixture under Keshi.
For a country that used to produce left footers routinely it is interesting that there is a dearth in that department in more recent time. Emmanuel Amuneke is about the last outstanding lefty in Nigeria and since his exit it has been improvisations and makeshift arrangements. Before Amuneke Nigeria had gifted left footers like Humphrey Edobor, Friday Elaho etc. whose rampaging runs down the left channel were not only a spectacle to behold, but a source of threat to opposing teams.
Howbeit, Amuneke does not think that this is something that should unduly bother Keshi and his crew. The former African Player of the Year argues that modern football can adapt and work around any such issues.
“That there is no recognisable left footers in a team does not mean that team can’t function. In modern football a player can play anywhere,” notes Amuneke who was recently made head coach of the Golden Eaglets.
“The point is for the players to listen to the coaches and play according to instructions. Although left footers are important I don’t see their absence as something that should overly bother us. Having said that I do feel that this is a big chance for Uzoenyi to show what he’s capable of doing. He has been able to express himself up till now, but the World Cup is a different stage altogether, he has to prove his mettle at that level.”
Jonathan akpoborie weighs in. The retired striker is of the opinion that Keshi doesn’t have to improvise when he has a tailor made product in his team already.
“We can’t in truth say we don’t have a lefty in the Super Eagles with Uzoenyi there; beside his outstanding outing in CHAN, I have seen him in a couple of other matches and he did well. I think he’s good enough for the World Cup,” says Akpoborie.
“Uzoenyi has been in the national team frame for some time now. So I see no reason he should not be given the chance to be in the party to Brazil. I don’t know how they make the team selection, what the coaches look for or what they seek to achieve with the selections. That is why I keep saying that we should leave everything to Keshi. Let him do it his way; if he succeeds he takes the credit if not he also takes the blame.”
Coach of Lobi Stars Evance Ogenyi also sees no reason Uzoenyi should not be in the plane to Brazil in the summer, given that ‘extra thing’ he brings to the table.
“Uzoenyi is a creative player, very innovative; a player who can create something out of nothing. We saw him do that repeatedly during the CHAN in South Africa,” says the former Enyimba assistant gaffer.
“He can bring in that extra thing into a team. He is quick thinking and decisive in critical moments and I believe these are qualities we need in players going to the World Cup.”
Former Eagles skipper Henry Nwosu is also favourably disposed to having a player with the qualities of Uzoenyi in the Super Eagles. The retired midfielder who shares the same petite physique with the new Mamelodi Sundowns signee adds that the national team is open to every Nigerian player.
“Uzoenyi is a good player with the required qualities to play for the national team. He did great in the CHAN but that is not enough for people to think he has arrived because he has not,” Nwosu says.
“As a Nigerian player he has the right to be invited to fight for a shirt, it is left for him to prove himself. But I do think he has something to offer the Super Eagles.”
By: Vincent Eboigbe
