Tag: miss

Super Eagles Head Coach, Stephen Keshi, says he will not miss any player who did not make the team’s provisional list for the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

Keshi disclosed this to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday in Abuja, in reaction to the barrage of criticisms which have trailed his list of 32 invited players. The list was for the final phase of camping in Faro, Portugal for the competition, scheduled to kick off on Jan. 19 in South Africa.

According to Keshi, the omission of the likes of Osaze Odemwingie and Taye Taiwo was not intentional, but for the good of the country.

“We don’t need Osaze right now; that is all. He is not a bad player and there is nothing personal about it. It is just that at this point in time, there are some players that were not called and we don’t have anything against them. `We also did not invite Obafemi Martins, why are Nigerians not talking about him? These players are not the only Nigerians playing; this is what we want for now. All we want for now from Nigerians is to support the players that are there in prayers,” Keshi said.

The former Togo and Mali coach added that Martins was not in the list because he did not live up to expectation when he was given the opportunity to prove his worth in the new Eagles squad.

Keshi pointed out that he was more comfortable dealing with the players he was familiar with.

“Martins is a good player and has done so well for this country. However, I have some other players I have used before and I think I have confidence in them, not that I don’t have confidence in Martins, but his time will come. He is still a young man and is still playing,” Keshi said.

Aminu Maigari, the Chairman, Nigeria Football Federation (NFA) told NAN that Keshi’s decision on the list was final.

Maigari said that the present board of the association had vowed not to meddle in Super Eagles affairs.

“Actually the duty of the NFF board is to regulate, we don’t impose players on the coaches. But I was able to attend part of the last segment of the technical committee meeting with the coaches themselves.

“At the meeting, I asked why Osaze was not invited and the committee said it had also asked a similar question, but the coach gave his reasons and they were convinced. I was satisfied too, because I feel it is not my right to come and say the coach must bring back a particular player,” Maigari said.

NAN reports that the Super Eagles would depart Nigeria for Faro, Portugal on Dec. 27 for the final phase of camping for the competition.

Newcastle boss Alan Pardew has said he would have wished for the return of Super Eagles prolific striker Shola Ameobi for today’s clash against Wigan.

Nigeria international striker Ameobi has been out of action for more than a week due to groin.

Pardew said he expects some of his injured players back for the Wigan home game but was unsure about Ameobi, Gabby Obertan and Ben Arfa.

“One or two are due back. But I don’t know if they will make the next game, it is a bit tight. We can take plenty of heart into the game. I feel sorry for the players. In fact, all three should be fit for our game at Craven Cottage, where we will try to get the win against Fulham,” said the Newcastle manager.

All three though are close to full recovery, while Shola’s younger brother, Sammy, is in line to replace Shane Ferguson on the left wing.

Tijjani Babangida has argued that the absence of Mikel Obi and Victor Moses against Venezuela will allow other players to show themselves.

The former international told MTNFootball.com that though their presence could have added quality to the team, Keshi could use this chance to test other players ahead of next year’s AFCON.

“In my own opinion, their absence is good for the team and the coach because it would afford him an opportunity to test other players,” Babangida said.

“The coach has already seen them and know what they are capable of. And added to this is the fact that the EPL is really very demanding with games after every three days. As such their absence should be positively exploited.”

In the meantime, the former international has called on Sports Minister Bolaji Abdullahi to allow Keshi do his work.

The sports minister has ordered Keshi to stop experimenting with new players and get on with the serious job of preparing for the Nations Cup in South Africa.

“The minister is just trying to cause trouble, he should be focused on ensuring that the funds needed for the AFCON campaign are released in time,” said the former Ajax Amsterdam winger.

“If Keshi fails today, the minister cannot save him. They should leave Keshi to run his programme the best way he deems right. If he wants to test players for the Venezuela friendly I don’t see anything wrong with that.”