Mixed feelings have greeted the preliminary list of 30 players released by Super Eagles coach, Stephen Keshi, out of which 23 will eventually travel to the 2014 FIFA World Cup billed for Brazil this summer.
Stephen Keshi
Football pundits are divided in their views over the list. While some praise Keshi for his selection, others give him knocks for not inviting one player or another.
“This is football. It is not possible for the coach to invite all the players to the team for the World Cup. He has called those that he felt will be useful for him at the Mundial and so we must leave it at that.
“After all, he is in charge and I want to believe he knows what he is doing. Let us wait and see the final list of 23 players that will scale through. So, for now, we should praise him for coming up with the list,” said ex-international, Adegoke Adelabu.
Another ex-international, Taiwo Oloyede, shared the view of Adelabu when he said Keshi has done well and that Nigerians should join hands with him to achieve success at the World Cup.
“We cannot pick the players for him. He is to pick the players by himself and he has just given us the preliminary list of 30 players.
“We should not condemn him on the ground that one player or another is not on the list. He is the coach and he knows what it is best for him (and the team).
“We should not interfere or decide or force a player on him; rather, we should all pray for the success of the team,” said Oloyede.
However, some feel that the list is not complete, especially with the exclusion of Ikechukwu Uche from the team.
“I still don’t know why Keshi does not want Ik Uche in that team for the World Cup? For God’s sake, that boy is doing very well now, and he (coach) should have given him a chance.
“Good, he listened to the voice of the people and invited Osaze Odemwingie. He should have at least extended the invitation to Ik Uche,” argued football analyst, Godwin Dudu-Orumen.
Another ex-international, Godson Igwe, wondered why Chinedu Obasi and Ik Uche are not included in the list.
“The two players have paid their dues and deserve to be in the list. I just hope Keshi knows what he is doing because we gathered that some of those on the list were forced on him by some powerful members of the technical committee,” said Igwe.
However, Keshi has said that no one picked the players for him. The coach denied reports that he was arm-twisted to include some players in his squad to the tournament.
Meanwhile, the list, which has been shrouded in mystery for the past few weeks, includes the likes of Odemwingie and Joseph Yobo, two players who had been at loggerheads with the coach.
The other surprise inclusions in the list are Nosa Igiebor, who has been out injured, and Reuben Gabriel.
The other shock is the non-inclusion of Sone Aluko, the left-footed Hull City midfielder, who has been massive for the Premiership side.