Akpoborie backs Siasia on Onuoha, Emenike

Posted by admin Soccer, Sports Saturday, December 25th, 2010

Ex-international Jonathan Akpoborie believes Super Eagles coach Samson Siasia is on the right track with his plan to include Sunderland’s Nedum Onuoha and Karabukspor’s Emmanuel Emenike in his team.

Siasia has visited Emenike in Turkey but is yet to meet with Onuoha in England. He is expected to convince the defender to reconsider his position on Nigeria.

Akpoborie told our correspondent online from Germany on Monday that the former Flying Eagles coach knew how he wanted to use the players in his team.

He said, “Siasia is making critical decisions that he believes will improve the team. As the coach, he knows if the players disappoint, he will be blamed. He is interested in players that he can rely on.

“Both players have shown they can play at the top level hence the attention they are getting from Nigeria and the countries where they are based.”

The former Wolfburg forward added that Siasia would still need Columbus Crew midfielder Emmanuel Ekpo, who was vital to the Flying Eagles at the 2008 Olympic Games.

“Siasia needs to have three key players whom he will build the team around,” Akpoborie said.

“He should not rely only on the foreign-based players to make up the team. He can limit the Europe-based to 15 while the home-based players make up the rest of the squad.”wp_posts