FOUR of the players invited for the March 23 Brazil 2014 World Cup qualifier, including Obafemi Martins, Chibuzor Okonkwo, John Ogu and Nnamdi Oduamadi are on special scrutiny to see if they can fit into the team being assembled by Coach Stephen Keshi for the forthcoming Confederation Cup.
An official of the Super Eagles, who pleaded anonymity, told The Guardian that despite Nigeria’s victory at the South Africa 2013 CAF Nations Cup, Keshi was not satisfied with the performance of some of the players hence his decision to give other players the chance to stake their claims to the Eagles jersey.
The source disclosed that the coach went ahead to invite Martins to the team’s camp despite opposition to the return of the Newcastle United former star to the team, adding that the coach will use the game against Kenya to test run his squad for the Confederation Cup.
“Keshi has been told so many good things about Okonkwo, so he wants to see the boy first hand to decide if he is the answer to the problem at the right back. Okonkwo was in the team prior to the Nations Cup, but he could not convince the coach because he had a short time to prove his worth.
“Now is another opportunity for the Rangers boy to show what he can do.
“Martins came into the picture because Ikechukwu Uche did not do himself any good in South Africa. But I must say that a lot of people opposed the invitation of Martins because they pointed out that if Keshi wanted a new team he should not be talking of players like Martins. But the coach knows best.”
The source also revealed that Ogu and Oduamadi were called up because Keshi is looking for options in the midfield, adding, “although, the coach has no problem with the midfield, he is looking for players who can give different dimensions in the team.”
Meanwhile, Keshi yesterday said he was quoted out of context when he explained why he did not give his team list tom the NFF technical committee before it was made public.
Speaking through Super Eagles media officer, Ben Alaiya, Keshi said, “what I said at the media chat was that I followed due process in the submission of my list to the NFF Secretariat and that the committee at that time was not seating.
“How can I talk of dissolution of a committee which in the first place I didn’t set it up, those, who want to maintain constant squabble in Nigerian football should be careful because I have had enough distraction of this nature since coming on board,” he said in an emotion laden tone.
He again called for total concentration for the game against Kenya, which he said is what is on his mind now and asked all stakeholders to unite in the drive to pick a 2014 World Cup ticket instead of causing quarrels among key officials of football in the country.
An official of the Super Eagles, who pleaded anonymity, told The Guardian that despite Nigeria’s victory at the South Africa 2013 CAF Nations Cup, Keshi was not satisfied with the performance of some of the players hence his decision to give other players the chance to stake their claims to the Eagles jersey.
The source disclosed that the coach went ahead to invite Martins to the team’s camp despite opposition to the return of the Newcastle United former star to the team, adding that the coach will use the game against Kenya to test run his squad for the Confederation Cup.
“Keshi has been told so many good things about Okonkwo, so he wants to see the boy first hand to decide if he is the answer to the problem at the right back. Okonkwo was in the team prior to the Nations Cup, but he could not convince the coach because he had a short time to prove his worth.
“Now is another opportunity for the Rangers boy to show what he can do.
“Martins came into the picture because Ikechukwu Uche did not do himself any good in South Africa. But I must say that a lot of people opposed the invitation of Martins because they pointed out that if Keshi wanted a new team he should not be talking of players like Martins. But the coach knows best.”
The source also revealed that Ogu and Oduamadi were called up because Keshi is looking for options in the midfield, adding, “although, the coach has no problem with the midfield, he is looking for players who can give different dimensions in the team.”
Meanwhile, Keshi yesterday said he was quoted out of context when he explained why he did not give his team list tom the NFF technical committee before it was made public.
Speaking through Super Eagles media officer, Ben Alaiya, Keshi said, “what I said at the media chat was that I followed due process in the submission of my list to the NFF Secretariat and that the committee at that time was not seating.
“How can I talk of dissolution of a committee which in the first place I didn’t set it up, those, who want to maintain constant squabble in Nigerian football should be careful because I have had enough distraction of this nature since coming on board,” he said in an emotion laden tone.
He again called for total concentration for the game against Kenya, which he said is what is on his mind now and asked all stakeholders to unite in the drive to pick a 2014 World Cup ticket instead of causing quarrels among key officials of football in the country.
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