Friday Ekpo defends Keshi

Posted by admin Headlines, Soccer, Sports Saturday, April 26th, 2014

Friday Ekpo has warned the Nigeria Football Federation to keep off the selection of players for this summer’s World Cup, saying the Super Eagles coach Stephen Keshi should be given full control over the country’s Brazil 2014 squad.

Keshi is allegedly under heavy pressure from the football house to name Villarreal hitman Ikechukwu Uche, versatile Schalke 04 player Chinedu Obasi, on-loan Norwich defender Joseph Yobo and Stoke City forward Osaze Odemwingie on his 23-man roster for the tournament. Some officials of the NFF are also said to be insistent on the likes of Dynamo Kyiv striker Brown Ideye, Varese attacker Nnamdi Oduamadi and Newcastle benchwarmer Shola Ameobi being dropped.

But sources say Keshi is insisting he should be given a free hand to pick his players for the championship.

And Senegal ’92 Africa Cup of Nations bronze medallist Ekpo expressed his disappointment over the controversy surrounding the World Cup list, saying “it’s distracting”.

The former Gabon-based midfielder, who backed his ex-Eagles’ teammate to name a strong squad for the football’s showpiece, said Keshi should be allowed to pick his players for the competition.

Although Ekpo maintains the NFF has the right to ask Keshi questions over his World Cup squad, he says “they should give him the benefit of the doubt if he says he doesn’t want certain players in his team”.

“They have given him (Keshi) a job do to do and he should be allowed to work,” the ex-Abiola Babes star told our correspondent on the telephone during the week.

“Keshi is in charge of the team. He takes credit for the success of the team and takes the blame for failure.

“If he has genuine reasons for not wanting certain players in his World Cup squad, he should be allowed to go to Brazil with the players he wants.

“Nobody should force any player on him so that he will not blame anyone if things don’t work out.”

Ekpo warned the NFF not to force Uche on Keshi, saying it would not be in the interest of the team.

“Yes, Uche will be missed just like other players who will be dropped from the World Cup team,” the retired footballer said.

“Keshi complained about Uche not playing to his instructions and indiscipline. I think these should be considered.

“Uche is a good player and I want him to represent us in Brazil but it must not be automatic.

“Keshi should invite him to prove himself. If he’s convinced the player has changed, he should name him in his World Cup squad.”

Ekpo is tipping the Eagles to perform in Brazil but ruled the African champions out of the World Cup title.

He said, “Yes, miracles do happen. Nobody gave Sunderland any chance against Chelsea in their Premier League (at Stamford Bridge last Saturday). But Sunderland won (2-1).

“Ghana missed out on a place in the South Africa 2010 World Cup semifinals in the last minute. Nobody gave them a chance to reach the quarterfinals where they were sent out of the tournament.

“I believe we can do the same in Brazil. But it will be a miracle if we win the World Cup

-Punchwp_posts