By: Gracious Akujobi
Stephen Keshi, head coach of the Super Eagles has stated categorically that Joseph Yobo and Osase Odewimgie can make a return to his team only if they can impact positively on the team.
He made this assertion while speaking on Super Sports Television, saying he also needs a quite camp where all the players have one mind
“Odemwingie is a great player. Yobo of course, is the captain of the team. But, I need players that will lead positively, who will be there to say I am here, let’s sacrifice for the team”
“If I cannot see that positivity in that player then you need to be an exceptional player who scores five goals in every game then I might probably ignore and bring the player into the team”
He stated that the team is still work in progress and so the idea of bringing in younger and hungrier players will do the team a whole lot of good which will translate to mutual respect among the players and a greater team bonding that will carry the team along.
“Right now, I just want to build a team that there is unity, cohesiveness, good harmony and respect. I was impressed with the kind of team spirit/bonding which the news boys who joined the team for the Mandela Challenge exhibited”
“The new players that came where interacting in the dining hall, there was no one feeling superior than other players”
Continuing, the Big Boss reiterated the fact that he will like to give Yobo a chance to get the 100 caps which he desires to achieve as he currently has 95 caps to his credit but also stated that it will not be fair leaving Yobo on the bench while the young players start a game ahead of him.
“I will love to honor Yobe and let him play to get the 100 caps for Nigeria because he has done well for the country over the years”
“Nigerians gave me a responsibility and I have to live by it and that is what I am trying to do”
“But, I am looking for a way to bring Yobo in so that he can attain his 100 caps that he wants to attain and take it from there. Yes, I will like him to have that, we just have to see how it goes and it will not be about sentiment, he will be invited if there is really need for him”
“Yobo is not a player whose caliber I want to put on the bench and have the younger kids playing, I don’t want to do that to him, it happened to me in my playing days so I don’t want to do that to him”
“If he is fit he should start may be after one hour I can substitute him but putting Yobo on the bench? I don’t think it is cool,” Keshi said.
