Siasia Pleads with Keshi on Behalf of Odemwingie and Uche
Former Super Eagles’ Manager, Samson Siasia, has asked his successor, Stephen Keshi to reconsider his tough stance concerning Ikechukwu Uche and Osaze Odemwingie.
The duo have fallen out of favor with Eagles Coach Stephen Keshi in recent times due to Odemwingie’s poor disciplinary record and Uche’s inability to adapt to the tactical instructions from the coaching crew.
“I don’t need Ikechukwu Uche in my team. He may be a great player, but not all great players play for their country”, Keshi had said.
Villarreal’s Uche has however been in very good form this season while Odemwingie has also been quite prolific in front of goal with his new Premiership club after a January move. And Siasia thinks their experience could prove vital for Keshi’s team at the World Cup.
“If Keshi says Ike Uche is stubborn or undisciplined, well, he has played under me before and I’ve never seen him do something that would make me tag him that way”, Siasia said.
“But maybe he has done something under Keshi that is wrong, because Keshi wouldn’t just say something like that about a young man doing well in his club.
“I just feel Keshi needs Ike Uche to complement what Emmanuel Emenike does on the pitch. Emenike can’t do it alone upfront, but the choice is Keshi’s. Osaze has done lots of crazy things but I think he has calmed down.
“If he is doing well and they have talked to him and he decides to be responsible for the first time in his life, then I think he should be included in the team because we all make mistakes,” Siasia said.