Super Eagles coach, Stephen Keshi
Super Eagles coach Stephen Keshi tells SuperSport he is not aware some of the 30 players selected for the World Cup are injured
You stuck with Gombe
United goalkeeper, Chigozie Agbim, despite national outcry for his
exclusion following his poor outing at the 2013 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 deputised in that capacity. 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 place 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. Mikel Obi, 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 mentioned Joel Obi. You once expressed reservations about his injury problems. Are you not taking a risk?
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
April 12 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.
Uche Nwofor is injured. He has
played just three league games all season and hasn’t played
competitively since November 3, 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 Osaze 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 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?
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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