The
list is finally out. A lot of Nigerians thought it would be released on
22 April after your meeting with members of the technical committee of
the Nigeria Football Federation. What was responsible for the delay?
I
read the explanations for that from Paul Bassey, a member of the NFF’s
technical committee on supersport.comlast week. His explanations are
basically in order.
You stuck with Gombe United
goalkeeper, Chigozie Agbim despite national outcry for his exclusion
following his poor outing at the CHAN. Why?
Agbim
is a good keeper. That he did not have the best tournament at the CHAN
does not make him a bad goalie overnight.Basically, I stuck with the
goalkeepers I have been using since I took over in 2011. Daniel Akpeyi
is a good young keeper and we want to see what he can do.
Elderson
Echiejile made the list despite playing just two league games for AS
Monaco this season. Are you not worried he may be targeted as the
weakest link in Brazil?
First things first;
Echiejile only made the provisional list. There is no guarantee that he
will make the final list. The same applies for all the other 29 players
called up. Having said that, I will not pretend that I do not know he’s
not been playing regularly at Monaco. It does not mean he’s lacking in
ability. Even when I was still playing, there were times when I did not
play for my club for non-sporting reasons. There are a lot of things
that happen that so many fans are not aware of. The good thing is that
we still have a series of friendly matches to play before the World Cup
begins next month and we hope it will get the players in the right shape
before then.
Joseph Yobo is back too…
You
know when he wasn’t playing; I was asked a lot of questions by so many
journalists about this subject. I told them then that Yobo was still in
my plans but some people felt I was merely telling half truths. Now it
is clear that I was saying the truth all along. He was injured but I
have been informed that he’s bounced back. We are glad to have him back.
While
Yobo was away, goalkeeper, Vincent Enyeama deputized in that capacity
with aplomb. Will you have a decision to make as to who captains the
team in Brazil.
No, there is no decision to make as
long as Yobo makes the final list. If he does, he will be captain First,
however, he will have to prove himself and fight for a shirt just like
all the others called up. He’s the most experienced player called up.
How
difficult was it for you to make up your mind on the choice of
midfielders in the squad and what were you on the lookout for?
It
was extremely difficult to select the midfielders in that list.John Obi
Mikel, Ogenyi Onazi, Joel Obi, Sunday Mba and the others we selected
are very good just like the others who did not make the list. However, I
was on the lookout for energetic players that can go from box-to-box.
That’s very important to me because pace for counterattacks will come in
handy at certain games at the World Cup.
You
just mentioned Joel Obi. The last time we discussed him, you expressed
reservations about his injury problems. Are you not taking a risk?
Yeah
Sammy, you are correct. However, things have changed since then and
now. He has fully recovered and has been playing regularly for Parma.He
has struggled with injuries for the last two years or so but when he’s
fit, he’s an asset to any team.Joel Obi is a very hard worker, and has
tremendous vision. More importantly, he’s very fit now so we are pleased
to welcome him back.
Ahmed Musa and Nnamdi Oduamadi are currently injured but you selected them…
(cuts in) Oduamadi injured? I am surprised to hear this because the information I got is that he’s fit.
Well,
he’s injured. He was not even on the bench when Varese lost 1-5 to
Citadella in Serie B last weekend and has not played for Varese since
the 0-1 defeat to Bari on 12 April when he picked up the injury in the
30th minute.
Well, this is very interesting because I
was reliably informed that he’s fit and has been playing actively.
Having said that, all the players will report to camp later this month
and we will proceed from there.
We have one of the best
medical staff in the world and all the players will be carefully
examined and if anyone of them is carrying an injury, we will know.
Now
to the curious case of striker, Uche Nwofor. He’s injured, has played
just three league games all season and hasn’t played competitively
since3 November, 2013. Why call up such a player for the World Cup?
We
spoke before the Mexico game, Uche and I. He said he was injured then
but we spoke again afterwards and he told me he was now back in
training.I am shocked at what you just told me because again, I believe
he’s been playing. I will speak to him again to ascertain the situation.
You
have handed Peter Odemwingie a recall. We all know what happened before
and after the 2013 AFCON. Did he give you any reassurances?
We
had a heart-to-heart chat about what we want to achieve with the team
in Brazil. He’s always been a hard worker. I don’t know what happened to
him in the past but we will leave that in the past. I will see how he
conducts himself when the camp open before I make my final decision.I
want to state here that Osaze Odmwingie has not yet made the final list
to Brazil. I have a 30-man list and will drop anyone who does not
conform with the ideas that I have for the team.
What will you be on the lookout for before you make your decision on the final 23 players to go to Brazil?
The
players I called up all know me. Sentiments do not exist in my
dictionary. I don’t look at what you have done in the past and
discipline plus the right team ethic is key.Again, no one has made the
final list. Anyone can still be dropped. I wish them all the best of
luck as they come to the camp and fight for shirts.
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Keshi u said sentiments do not exist in ur dictionary yet u are busy calling wounded players. I wonder what u are up to, hope u ve not collected money 4rm these men in exchange for "shirt".
ReplyDeleteMy take is that there are too many information not at Keshi's disposal before the selection as his response clearly suggests. That said, I believe he has time with them to ascertain their fitness before the world cup. Best of luck
ReplyDeleteIf I were to be Ike and Kalu Uche, Mike Eneramo and Brown Ideye, I wld make myself available to Keshi's camp and pay my expenses as well. I believe Keshi cannot drive them away. Peter Rufai did it in 1992 when Westerholf was d TA. Sadly' he did not make it but he did set a precedent
ReplyDeleteKESHI IS STUPID.... U ARE ASKING PLAYER FOR HIS FITNESS,WILL THE PLAYER TELL U HE IS NOT FIT?
ReplyDeleteMERELY GO THE CLUB WEBSITE, U SEE EVERY PLAYER'S HISTORY, WHETHER FIT OR NOT.
BUT, WHAT WE WANT TO LET U KNOW, MR KESHI IS THAT, AFTER POOR PERFORMANCE AFTERMATH WOLRD CUP BY THESE UR ACTIONS, DON'T TELL US ANYONE FORCED PLAYER ON U. I KNOW, THAT WILL BE UR EXCUSE.
THERE IS NO WAY YOU WILL ASK THE OFFICERS OF THEIR RESPECTIVE CLUBS THAT THEY WON'T TELL U THE TRUTH ON THE PLAYER'S HEALTH OR FITNESS.
WE NEED FOREIGN COACH, KESHI IS AN AFRICAN, NIGERIAN FOR THAT MATTER WHO CAN EASILY BE INFLUECED.