Super Eagles coach, Stephen OkechukwuKeshi has reacted swiftly to the call by former national team skipper, Austin ‘Jay Jay’ Okocha, that Chelsea star, John Mikel Obi should be recalled to the national team, insisting that there was never a time the player was out of the national team scheme of things.
“We may have played some games without Mikel but he has always been part of the team and I must tell Nigerians that I have been in touch with the player.
On the day of the Nations Cup draws in South Africa, I and Mikel spoke for over 40 minutes on various aspects of football and I was impressed with his patriotism for Nigeria and the success of the national team. We must be careful not to bring division and hero worship into the national team.
Mikel has said again and again that he has no problems with the national team technical crew and I don’t have any problems with him either, so calling for his recall to the team is unnecessary, because he has always been a part of the team,” Keshisaid from Benin City.
The Eagles boss warned that such calls will mean that the other European based professionals who were not invited for the June games against Namibia, Malawi and Rwanda were not important in the national team, which he said is far from the truth.“We have a lot of players who were not part of the last games like Obafemi Martins, ObinnaNsofor, OgbukeObasi, Emmanuel Emenike and more.
These players are as important and very good to our ambition of building a strong national team for Nigeria and I have been in touch with all of them, so we must avoid division in the national team and respect the decision of the coach.
Keshisaid that no matter the amount of pressure, he would make it a point of duty to invite only the players needed for particular games and if Mikel is relevant he would surely be called up.
Posted: at 12-07-2012 10:36 AM (11 years ago) | Upcoming
aso4life1 at 12-07-2012 01:49 PM (11 years ago) (m)
Mr. Keshi do whatever you think is best because when the team fails, it will be you that will be kick out and you will have to take the blame.
I am a Hard core Chelsea fan, if he invite Mikel fine and if he did not, no wahala but please give us a formidable team that can beat the world.
its very painful that in Nigeria, we usually channel our attention into one way, like the way we forgot other sectors and focused only on Oil. I mean, other sports suffer cos of our too much attention in football, our Basketball team made us proud few days ago, we never celebrate them like our SUPER CHICKEN that always disappoint us on big stages.
So, Nigeria abeg Change your ways... cos your ways are not pure but full of politics with tribalism
if u attack my papa house, I'll retaliate but if you are peace loving,I will embrace you
Posted: at 12-07-2012 01:49 PM (11 years ago) | Hero
Nairalord1 at 12-07-2012 08:10 PM (11 years ago) (m)
IF ONE FAMILY CAN PRODUCE PLAYERS THAT WILL PLAY GOOD FOOTBALL AND WIN MATCHES FOR US LETS PLAY WITH THEM. PLAYING KAHINDE, MAIGARI OR EMEKA THAT CANNOT DELIVER IS THE PROBLEM OF CORRUPTION. IF PLAYING WITHOUT MIKEL WILL GIVE US THE DESIRED VICTORY AND FREE FLOWING GAME MIKEL SHOULD STAY PLS.
Posted: at 12-07-2012 08:10 PM (11 years ago) | Newbie
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