Mexico’s Friendly, A Big Decider for Eagles’ Brazil 2014 Squad- Keshi
As The Super Eagles begin their warm-up for the Friendly against Mexico in Atlanta, Georgia on Wednesday, Coach Stephen Keshi has said that the game is an integral part of his plans for Brazil.
The match will effectively determine Keshi’s plans for Brazil, as it is the only free window before he opens his training camp in Houston, from 25 May.
Keshi, who, last March said Nigeria could reach the semi-finals, has called up three uncapped players for the friendly, including Standard Liege striker, Imoh Ezekiel, who caught the eye of Belgium coach, Marc Wilmots but the player opted to play for Nigeria.
Several top stars including Chelsea midfielder, John Obi Mikel and Liverpool’s Victor Moses have struggled for game time this season and so may not be fully match fit.
“I am disappointed Moses is not playing but there is nothing I can do as I’m not (Liverpool manager Brendan) Rodgers. I will talk with the player when he is here for the game,” said Keshi.
The coach will also likely face fresh questions about why he has shut out Villarreal striker Ikechukwu Uche, who has scored 12 goals this season in La Liga. He has maintained that Uche is not in his plans for Brazil because he lacks tactical discipline at international level.
Nigeria and Mexico have played out draws in their two previous meetings but the Eagles handler said he was looking more at the team’s performance.
“What is most crucial is to see how we play as a team. It will give us an idea of some of those who are ready for the big stage,” he said.