Super Eagles’ chief coach Stephen Keshi early this morning dropped the bomb-shell after he released a 30-man list as the Super Eagles begin preparations for the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil in June this year.
Millions of soccer loving Nigerians however will be shocked to know that two of our most influential/key players have been dropped for the mundial. It can be recalled that Both Victor Moses and Mikel Obi played a huge and significant role in the 2013 African Nations Cup triumph. However former captain Joseph Yobo and Osaze Odemwingie are back in Keshi's plan for the world cup.
In a statement signed by the Assistant Director (Media) of the Nigeria Football Association (NFA), Ademola Olajire, released this morning, he said the 30 players are expected to report to the US based camp in May, where 23 players would eventually be selected for the World cup.
However, Mr Keshi tried to put fans’ minds at ease, defending his 30-man list:
"When i dropped Odemwingie, Martins, I.k Uche, Yobo and other big boys in previous competitions and qualifiers, the media said this man has started again, how can he drop our best players, he will fail"
He continiued... "But guess what, we won the African nations cup with the players i selected after so many years, we qualified for the world cup, and won the bronze in CHAN..that is no fluke"
He also explained his reasons for dropping Mikel Obi and Victor Moses
While Mikel has lost his starting place since the arrival of Nemanja Matic at Stamford Bridge, Moses has not been able to convince coach Brendan Rodgers to start him ahead of Englishman Raheem Sterling who has formed a formidable partnership with Luis Suarez and Daniel sturridge)
"Mikel and Moses are my boys, they are fantastic players, but are they getting regular playing time at their clubs? Sterling, Luis (suarez) and the other English boy (Daniel Sturridge) have pushed Moses to the side."
He also stated that the recent acquisition of Matic and the return of Jose Mourinho
limited Mikel's playing time too
"Since Jose returned i have watched many times Mikel come from the bench or not play at all"
"Look at Juan Mata, he left Chelsea to join Manchester United, because of the world cup.
He knew he was not getting playing time at Chelsea and the world cup was around the corner"
'I have always said that only active players will be selected, and we have so many good players scattered all over the globe, the players i picked are not kids. It's just the chemistry that I need to bring into the team, the unity, the understanding.' The big boss stated.
Five players from the local league also made the 30-man squad.
They are Chigozie Agbim, Francis Benjamin, Solomon Kwambe, Azubuike Egwuekwe and CHAN revelation, Ejike Uzoenyi
The list has three goalkeepers, Nine defenders, Nine midfielders and Nine strikers.
The team’s stand-in skipper, Vincent Enyeama, was invited alongside goalkeepers Austin Ejide and Chigozie Agbim.
The full list has goalkeepers Enyeama (Lille FC, France), Ejide (Hapoel Be’er Sheva, Israel) and Agbim (Rangers International).
It also has defenders Elderson Echiejile (Sporting Braga, Portugal) Benjamin Francis (Heartland FC), Efe Ambrose (Celtic FC, Scotland), Solomon Kwambe (Sunshine Stars) and Godfrey Oboabona (Rizespor FC, Turkey), Joseph Yobo (Norwich)
The other defenders invited to camp are Azubuike Egwuekwe (Warri Wolves), Leon Balogun (Fortuna Düsseldorf) James Okwuosa (Chippa United, South Africa)
The midfielders include: John Ogu (Academica de Coimbra, Portugal) Ogenyi Onazi (SS Lazio, Italy). Haruna Lukman (Dynnamo Kyiv) Ramon Azeez (Almeria, Spain) The rest midfielders are Nnamdi Oduamadi (Brescia Calcio 1911, Italy), Nosa Igiebor (Real Betis, Spain), Sunday Mba (CA Bastia, France) Reuben Gabriel (Waasland-Beveren, Belgium) and Raheem Lawal (Eskişehirspor, Turkey)
The strikers include Osaze Odemwingie (Stoke City) Ahmed Musa (CSKA Moscow, Russia), Brown Ideye (Dynamo Kyiv, Ukraine), Shola Ameobi (Newcastle United, England) and Emmanuel Emenike (Fenerbahce FC, Turkey),
The other strikers are Sone Aluko (Hull City, England) Obinna Nsofor (Lokomotiv Moscow, Russia), Uche Nwofor (SC Heerenveen, The Netherlands) and Ejike Uzoenyi (Mamelodi Sundowns)
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What a shame!!! NE is a complete messed up....
ReplyDeleteOMG......u guys are nt jez serious
ReplyDeleteLWKMD. Nice 1 Nigeria info. But come to think of dropping Mikel wont b a bad idea.
ReplyDeleteNIGERIANEYE
ReplyDeleteCarry go jare. We are behind you. A brave man with vision. Don't let anyone bully you if we fail at least you tried.
ReplyDeleteNice one Nigerian Eye.... Got me fuming before I got to the last paragraph. Happy April Fools day to you too!
ReplyDeleteNice 1, u got me
ReplyDeleteWish you same! I wasn't fooled for 1 second! Scrolled down to see your April fool wish!
ReplyDeleteYou are a professional clown.
ReplyDeleteGreat shocker indeed....bt if that cme to reality cnsiderin hs philosophy,we shudnt get upset wit kechi. .kus I blv dat hard work deserves reward. .NO SENTIMENT
ReplyDeleteThis is an expensive joke o.
ReplyDeleteDis is a gr8 April fool
ReplyDeleteLolzzzzzzzzzzz
This isn't nice at all. Last year was Dbanj and Don J r back together for good. Here we go again and I fell for it.
ReplyDeleteI so much lov hw they are dropd ds mornin by nigerianeye Stephen Kechi
ReplyDelete1st to know it was April fool story. Nice one, many will be shock and is too deep to believe
ReplyDeleteI knew it was April fool. That's a lovely one
ReplyDeleteLOL!!!!u guys got me big time
ReplyDeleteit was'nt funny at all, but who knows ur opinion may be that of Keshi, recalling Osaze may be the best,but not givin moses n mikel a chance wil be his greatest undoing
ReplyDeleteHahahahahahahaaa........I can't stop but laffn,nice 1 guys. U got my attention,tho I m not that good wit soccer
ReplyDeleteNigerian Eye! Na wah for una, my heart don fly sef
ReplyDeleteNigerian Eye NA YEYE people ubi. U got no be small.
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ReplyDeleteYouuùu are maaaad.
ReplyDeleteLMAO........Good one there guys, you guys really got me there!!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteHappy April Fool's
This is just April fool anthem.
ReplyDeleteNE You got me. Nice 1
ReplyDeleteWelldone.
Ha haa nigerianeye
ReplyDeleteWow! Was really a shocker. World cup without Mikel and Moses? Its better April fool than being real.
ReplyDeleteAPRIL FOOLS!!!!
ReplyDeleteBabs ori e oh, I don deh key my self into Keshi new philosophy ni sha.
ReplyDeleteFor Where I wasn't fool for a second
ReplyDeleteDis must be April fool
ReplyDeleteNice one keep it up.
ReplyDeleteHahahahahahahahhahah!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I just dey laugh oooo!!!!!!!!!!!! You guys are too much, Nigerianeye.
ReplyDeleteGood riddance for bad rubbish. How does your treatment by your coach now become a standard for Keshi selection. And by the way Osaze and Yobo are worst treated in their club sides since January, 2013, none of them have played full time but the scale II stayed away from them. This two aspiring players because they have no one to press for them you have sidelined them because they are minority from Kaduna and Plateau respectfully. God go punish you
ReplyDeleteSince when did Edo (osaze) become a majority n Kaduna and Plateau minority? You sef dey read d story upside down! Its people like you that cause wahala in the country! Its a joke sad face! Laugh! U are meant to laugh not to flex ur tribal sentiment muscles!aboki
DeleteD guy na complete aboki
DeleteSo NE don't know where Elderson Echiejile plays 4? ok ooo na Monaco, so ur april fool is ok.
ReplyDeleteOnce I saw it, I was 100% convinced that it was April fool! No surprises at all.
ReplyDeletePlease STOP this "April Fool" nonesense, to avoid people going to their grave before their time, especially media industries. Because we rallied on you.
ReplyDeletethats a good idea bcs if you watch the last CHAN moses did not perform atall that means chelsea has finish the guy i pity him he could have choose arsenal to gain first eleven spot.....is not too late sa....keshi is a brave man
ReplyDeleteu can not compare yobo with other bcs there position is different look at that CHAN no player can fit in to yobo shoe
ReplyDeleteI read your April Fool. Even though I was following the piece line by line with caution but I must confess that I fell for it. Have a great day.
ReplyDeleteKai!
ReplyDeleteYou guys got me!
I shld have known when I saw that Keshi picked Chigozie Agbim of all pple.lol
IF E DROP DEM WU WAN PLAY
ReplyDeletelollllll! that was a good april fool oooo. I kind of flow with the taught though
ReplyDeletenice April fool nigerianeye!!!! I kind of flow with the taught though
ReplyDeleteVery good strategy in order to unite Nigerians. I have'n heard someone talking against a certain religion or accusing a certain tribe.
ReplyDeleteI guess this is how we should live and interact in this country in order to fight against oppressors, prevent external influence, and to make a way forward.
Good one 9jaeye.
I can not deny it because you did got me .
ReplyDeleteJude
Lols
ReplyDeleteArgggg r u guys madt ni mtchewwww
ReplyDeleteGod save & save keshi dat is April fool
ReplyDeleteGOT ME!
ReplyDeleteNE, what is your source? Was this inform a joke or .....?
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ReplyDeleteAPRIL FOOL
ReplyDeleteThe Devil is a lier, i cover keshi with the blood of Jesus!
ReplyDeleteThe Devil is a lier, i cover keshi with the blood of Jesus!
ReplyDelete