
Super Eagles coach, Stephen Keshi
| credits: File copy
| credits: File copy
Coach
Stephen Keshi is considering having any of Victor Anichebe of Everton,
Turkey-based Michael Eneramo or Joseph Akpala of Werder Bremen to fill
Emmanuel Emenike’s role in the Super Eagles attack ahead of the World
Cup qualifiers in June. The need to secure a replacement for Emenike
arose because the attacker returned to the treatment table last week
after sustaining a hamstring injury during a league match in Russia. His
latest condition will rule him out of action for six weeks, according
to Spartak Moscow doctors.
Emenike was first sidelined for about
two months with a hamstring injury he picked up against Mali in the
semi-final of the recent Africa Cup of Nations in South Africa.
Apart from the World Cup qualifiers
against Kenya and Namibia in June, Nigeria will also feature in the FIFA
Confederations Cup in Brazil next month.
“I am sad with the injury of my top
striker. I called him the other day to ask how fast (he was recovering)
and he said, ‘coach, I’m out but I’m with the team.’ It’s really sad but
that is football for you,” Keshi was quoted as saying by mtnfootball.com on his return to Nigeria from the US on Monday.
“I’ve listed three players as his
replacement with Victor Anichebe top on the list and Joseph Akpala and
Micheal Eneramo. But I am just hearing that Anichebe has said he would
not be available for selection, which is very sad.
“I have made efforts in the past to
speak with him through Yakubu Aiyegbeni, Joseph Yobo and (Dickson) Etuhu
but he said he was not ready to play. I will still make effort to reach
him, you never can tell, I could be able to convince him to have a
change of mind.”
Keshi also hailed the return to action
of AFCON hero Sunday Mba at the weekend for Enugu Rangers in a CAF
Champions League clash in Angola.
“It’s a very good thing that is all I
have been preaching since because the boy needs to be regular in action.
He also scored for Rangers which is very good. I am happy for him,” the
coach said.
Keshi had threatened to drop Mba from
the Eagles if he continued to stay without playing active football. The
match in Angola was the first major club game for the attacker since the
country won the African cup last February as Rangers and Warri Wolves
battled over the rights to his signature.
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