Super Eagles chief coach, Stephen Keshi, has cleared the air on his decision to exclude first choice goalkeeper, Vincent Enyeama, from the list of invited players for the international friendly against the Bafana Bafana of South Africa in the Mandela Challenge.
The ‘Big Boss’ called up 20 players for the Mandela Challenge billed to take place at the Moses Mahdinda Stadium on August 14, to honour former South African President, Dr Nelson Mandela.
The list had goalkeepers Austin Ejide and Chigozim Agbim as the safe hands in the squad.
Keshi explained that he left the Eagles’ skipper out to allow him rest and as well give the other goalkeepers in the team the chance to play.
”I left Enyeama out so he can rest and that Ejide can also taste action. We have an important match ahead of us and what happens if Enyeama gets injured while featuring in a friendly match?, asked the former Togo national team coach.
Meanwhile, Keshi has declared emphatically that the door of a national team appearance for troubled forward Osaze Odemwingie has not been completely closed.
Due to the player’s misunderstanding with the coach coupled with his problem with his English Premier League side, West Bromwich Albion, soccer followers have expressed fears that the former Bendel Insurance of Benin striker may not feature for the Super Eagles again.
However, Keshi allayed such fears, saying that the former Lokomotiv Moscow player would still be recalled into the Eagles.
”It may not be now, but I will call him when the time comes,” said Keshi who also defended his recall of Obinna Nsofor.
”Mike Emenalo played no part in the qualifying series for the 1994 World Cup, but when we got to USA, he played, just like Chidi Nwanu, so who says when we qualify for Brazil 2014, Osaze cannot play, added the former Super Eagles skipper.
