Keshi In Confussion Over Choice Of Strikers

Super Eagles’ Head Coach, Stephen Keshi, has admitted that he would face serious indecision over the selection of the glut of Nigerian strikers at home and in Diaspora for the South African 2013 Nations Cup, emphasising that his hands are tied because of the limited number of strikers he would include in his final 23-man list.

When Daily Sunsports asked him if he would face serious challenges selecting the strikers currently on top form in Europe, Keshi said: “It is good and a challenge for a coach to have multiple choices of players doing well in their clubs than having limited choice. I’m happy that they are doing well but we know that we have a limited number of attackers that we can take along to the Nations Cup.

“We cannot take everybody because we have other departments, the midfield, defenders and the goalkeepers. The invitation will depend on those that are ready. We need the players that will not only play the game, but show high-level team spirit to help us make successful tournament. We can only invite players based on those considerations,” he noted. On testing players against Venezuela, Keshi said: “Every player in my team has to work extra hard to prove he merits the invitation.

To me, every game has its own spirit, so they must prove themselves right from the training session to the game. I have not given any player any automatic shirt. The whole team and the 11 that start will prove themselves worthy to be in the team.” The Eagles gaffer further disclosed that he has finally secured the consent of the duo of Sydley Sam and Shola Ameobi, noting he does not know anything about Queen Park Rangers (QPR) defender, Nedum Onuoha.

“I spoke to Sydney Sam few days ago and I can assure you that he is willing and have in fact decided to come and play for Nigeria. I told him that Nigeria is his fatherland and we all want to see him and he has told me he would be glad to be there.