WHY STEPHEN KESHI BANG THE DOOR AGAINST: Ikechukwu Uche, Brown Ideye…

It may have surprised most followers of the Super Eagles that Keshi bang the door against some more established players in the current national team; to make way for rather unknown quality in his world cup provisional list. Many felt it was a harsh decision to have left players like Ikechukwu Uche, Brown Ideye, Fergo Ogunde, who were vital members of the AFCON winning team.

I understand some of the questions raised by some analysts, why Keshi decided to select some rather half fit players such as Joseph Yobo, Nnamdi Oduamadi, Nosa Igieborand didn’t consider quality stand by for injury prone ogeniyi  Onazi and Mikel Obi. It means that if any of these key players crop up a major injury, which is about 65% likely to happen, then Nigeria team will be greatly exposed to opponent’s attack.

We’ve seen how John Ogu adequately stood in for Mikel Obi, when the later wasn’t available for some games in the past. Fergo Ogunde was playing the inside right position before Onazi was found to be better. But I think if Onazi is indisposed, Ogunde could be a good stand by or what do you think?

If you ask me, I’ll personally tell you that Ikechukwu Uche is the best striker available to the national team today. No one can question his abilities or current form. But Keshi insisted that Uche doesn’t adhere to instructions and often challenge his coaching ability and he doesn’t want that kind of distractions at the world cup.

 It’s ok, since there are other quality strikers like Emmanuel Emenike, Shola Ameobi, Osaze Odenwingie… I don’t think we will feel his absence that much.

Really, where I think Keshi need to beef up seriously is the defensive midfield. I think we’ll need a lot of ball winners and combatant players with high work rate in the middle.

Brown Ideye is one such player that possessed very high work rate. I don’t know why Keshi decided to exclude such a mobile player that easily moves from attack to defense line and join attack again. He usually help block of opponent’s counter attack moves. But some analysts are of the opinion that Ideye is very wasteful in front of goal. Indeed, that may have worked against him when the technical committee deliberated on the provisional list.

Again, looking at the defense line, I felt Keshi should have invited Taiye Taiwo as a back up for Elderson Echiejile at the defense as well as Godfrey Obobana at  central defense; but Keshi Knows Better.

In all, I think Keshi has chosen the best players given the circumstances he found himself in the national team. He can still go on to win the world cup.

We’ve seen in the past coaches like Scolari dropped great player like Romario, who scored most of the goals that got Brazil to qualify for the world cup. Scolari rather preferred to select half fit Ronaldo, who eventually delivered the 1994 world cup to Brazil. This things happen and I think we should give all our support to Keshi