John Ogu's Return to Super Eagles Could Make A Great Difference- Salisu Yusuf Explains Why

Nigeria football star, John Ogu who was voted the best foreign player in the Israeli league, has come under spotlight again after he was dropped by Late Stephen Keshi at the nick of time to the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil.... and since then had gone into oblivion


The 28 year old Hapoel Be’er Sheva FC midfield meastro has lighten up the Isreali league with fellow compatriot Tony Nwakame producing some stunning performances that led to their team winning the league trophy. And many foreign sports journalists like Goran Aristotus wondered why  it took so long for Ogu to be re-called to the Nigerian National team.

But spreaking to our correspondence, Salisu Yusuf, the Head coach of Super Eagles explains why.


"We monitor many of our players around the world... sometimes through the help of  sports journalists who draw our attention to some of our players doing well abroad. But before we invite a player for national assignment,  we first of all consider his current competitive form... which is weighed by the player's  current individual performance and the league where he plays in..."

"Of course, you can't compare the level of competition in the Premiership for instance, to that of Isreali League. "

But John Ogu isn't new to us and his quality isn't in doubt, this is the reason we have giving him another chance to compete for first time shirt among Nigerian midfielders doing well in top flight European league... I personally believe he can distinguish himself and bring a lot of stability in the Nigerian midfield." Yusuf explained.

Gernot Rohr, Nigeria's German technical Adviser has always insisted on high quality - high Competitive standard for all players irrespective of who you are. You may have observed that he had such audacity to put Ahmed Musa on the bench all through the match against Zambia... You're not playing for your club, you don't play for the national team... He usually say.


Perhaps, he may look the way of John Ogu to make a difference in the match against Algeria as he tries to get the right blend of players into the national team.

But for Ogu to get any serious look-in at the national team, he should first find a way to move to mainstream Europe... Maybe, his Agent could help him transfer to Turkey, Greece, France or even Ukraine or Russia... That will give him a better chance to compete shoulder to shoulder with other midfielder in the national  team.

Some fans of John Ogu believed that playing in less popular league in Europe was what counted against him in the last depensation... He is playing better now and take moving to Europe very serious when window open this Winter in January.