Ben Akwuegbu insists England-based goalkeeper Carl Ikeme is not good enough to be the Super Eagles’ first choice in goal, saying Nigeria coach Sunday Oliseh must do everything to keep Vincent Enyeama in the side.
Lille custodian Enyeama left the Eagles’ camp in Belgium and announced his retirement from international football on Instagram before their friendly game against DR Congo on Thursday after falling out with Oliseh – after the manager stripped him of the team’s captaincy. Oliseh immediately handed the captain’s armband to Russia-based forward Ahmed Musa.
Although the Nigeria Football Federation says Enyeama will return to the team, the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations winner has yet to respond.
And former Nigeria winger Akwuegbu has voiced his disappointment with the development in the national team, urging Oliseh and Enyeama to salvage their strained relationship for the sake of the country.
Akwuegbu, who represented the country at the Korea/Japan 2002 World Cup, says Nigeria could be making “a big mistake” by “forcing Enyeama into early retirement from the Eagles”.
“Oliseh should bring back Enyeama to the Eagles at all costs,” the FC Gratkorn (an Austrian Football First League side) trainer told our correspondent on the telephone on Monday.
“Enyeama is one of the best keepers in Africa – and he has proved himself on the world stage.
“He played against top players, including Lionel Messi (at 2010 and 2014 World Cups), and distinguished himself.
“He’s a great asset to our team. His leadership qualities have benefitted the Eagles – we should allow him continue.”
The Ghana-Nigeria 2000 Africa Cup of Nations silver medallist maintains Ikeme, who has lost his place at Championship side Wolves to on-loan Arsenal keeper Emiliano Martinez, still has plenty to learn if he wants to become Nigeria’s first choice, despite conceding two goals in his four games for the Eagles.
Akwuegbu said, “Ikeme is a good keeper but he has not played any big match for the national team.
“Performances in a friendly game are not enough to assess a player. This is one problem we have in Africa.
“A player can play well in friendly games and perform woefully in a big tournament.
“Enyeama has played in the World Cup 2002, 2010, 2014 and the Africa Cup of Nations (2004, 2006, 2010, 2013).
“He has won the CAF Champions League (2003,2004) and has featured in the UEFA Champions League and Europa League. He’s highly experienced. We will miss his experience and leadership if he decides not to return to the Eagles. We shouldn’t force a goalkeeper of his quality into early retirement. it could be a big mistake.
“Enyeama still has at least two years to play for the country. Ikeme can learn from him.”
He praised the Eagles for their 3-0 defeat of their bitter rivals Cameroon in their friendly game in Belgium on Sunday, backing Oliseh to build a formidable team for the country.
“Oliseh should focus on his philosophy and blueprint and avoid distractions,” the former France-based player said.
Copyright PUNCH.
All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from PUNCH.
Contact: editor@punchng.com
SOURCE -: http://ift.tt/1QmzZDu
0 comments:
Post a Comment