After a long wait and wider consultation, Nigeria on Tuesday released its 30-man provisional list for the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil.
A cursory look at the list shows that Super Eagles coach Stephen Keshi has re-invited Stoke City striker Osaze Odemwingie and team captain Joseph Yobo, back to the team, after the international wilderness by both players.
But there was no place for Villareal FC striker Ikechukwu Uche whom Keshi swore will not be part of his team.
There were new additions in the team with Joel Obi making his first return to the national team in over two years.
Meanwhile, there was also no place in the team for Leon Balogun who looked like his place on the team was nailed. The Fortuna Dusserdolf defender was possibly omitted from the team as he is still recuperating from an injury he copped plying for Nigeria in March this year.
And as has been his policy, Keshi handed invitations to five players from the Nigeria league team to be part of his provisional squad.
People are of the opinion that if Ike Uche is excluded from the list, Osaze should not also make the list given the that the duo are known for indiscipline. Osaze is known for his antecedents with past Super Eagle coaches; Amodu Shuaibu, Las Largerberg, Samson Siasia as well as Steve Clarke, his coach at West Brom Albion.
Osaze should be talked to carefully so as not to bring division in the team. Whether he starts or sits on the bench; he should accept any decision the coach takes and exhibit the qualities of a role model in the team.
Odemwingie fell out with coach Stephen Okechukwu Keshi after being left out from last year’s African Nations’ Cup but his inclusion in Tuesday’s squad suggested the duo had patched up their differences as it was recently reported in the media.
Osaze last played for the team after a below-par performance against Rwanda in a 2013 Cup of Nations qualifier.
Meanwhile, Villareal’s Ike Uche has hit a rich vein of form for his club and has been very consistent but he has been omitted from the provisional list. Many soccer pundits are of the opinion that Uche could be a superb backup for Emenike, the Eagle’s most reliable striker, in front of goal based on his exposure and current form.
Keshi, based on this list, does not believe so. While many are divided over which of the two players should be dropped or included, it is obvious that no matter how big a play thinks he is, his place on the national team is not guaranteed nor is it automatic. Some have even opined that the head coach has the right to select the players that he feels are suitable for a particular game.
Many observers have strongly stated that regardless of who Keshi decides to take to the World Cup, the final call as well as the bucks stop at his table, and he should therefore be given the freedom to make his choices.
With the release of the list, Nigerians are now expected to get behind the coach and his team for a great showing at the Mundial.
Twenty-three players will be selected from the 30-man list on 2nd of June.
Keshi had insisted that he was not arm-twisted by members of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to include or drop any player in the list.
He said he had a free hand from the NFF to select the best players for the World Cup, but he was not averse to taking advice from well-meaning Nigerians on squad composition.
“The NFF is our parent body and should be concerned about team composition for the World Cup, because the body is made up of well-meaning Nigerians. But to be honest with Nigerians, nobody in the NFF has come to me to say pick player A or B. They respect my job as the head coach and I respect them as my employers and there is no clash of interest.”
A list of final 23-man list will be announced on June 2. Nigeria is expected to play a friendly against Scotland later this month before travelling to the United States to complete their final preparations for the June 12-July 13 tournament.
Squad List:
Goalkeepers: Chigozie Agbim (Gombe United), Daniel Akpeyi (Heartland FC), Austin Ejide (Hapoel Beer Sheva), Vincent Enyeama (Lille)
Defenders: Efe Ambrose (Celtic), Elderson Echiejile (Monaco), Azubuike Egwuekwe (Warri Wolves), Kunle Odunlami (Sunshine Stars), Godfrey Oboabona (Caykur Rizespor), Kenneth Omeruo (Middlesbrough), Juwon Oshaniwa (Ashdod), Joseph Yobo (Norwich City)
Midfielders: Ramon Azeez (Almeira), Reuben Gabriel (Waasland-Beveren), Nosa Igiebor (Real Betis), Sunday Mba (CA Bastia), Joel Obi (Parma), John Mikel Obi (Chelsea), Victor Moses (Liverpool), Nnamdi Oduamadi (Brescia), Ogenyi Onazi (Lazio), Ejike Uzoenyi (Enugu Rangers)
Forwards: Shola Ameobi (Newcastle United), Michael Babatunde (Volyn Lutsk), Emmanuel Emenike (Fenerbahce), Ahmed Musa (CSKA Moscow), Uche Nwofor (Heerenveen), Victor Obinna (Chievo Verona), Peter Odemwingie (Stoke City), Michael Uchebo (Cercle Brugge).
Anthony Nlebem