MLS not responsible for Martins’ exclusion – Keshi
Headlines, Soccer, Sports Thursday, June 5th, 2014
Super Eagles coach, Stephen Keshi| credits: File copy
Super Eagles coach Stephen Keshi has explained that Obafemi Martins’ exclusion from Nigeria World Cup squad has nothing to do with the player’s move to the US Major League Soccer.
Martins joined the Seattle Sounders from La Liga outfit Levante in 2013 and has scored 14 goals in 35 appearances.
The former Inter Milan striker featured only once under Stephen Keshi – in March last year against Kenya in a World Cup qualifier.
“I live in the United States, so I know a little bit about the league,” Keshi told MLSsoccer. “It’s a good league. I don’t think there’s any problem for a Nigerian player to play in Major League Soccer.”
Keshi didn’t say much else about Martins, who’s poured in six goals and six assists through the first 14 games of the MLS season.
But he did confirm that Toronto FC forward Bright Dike would likely be going to Brazil if not for a serious injury.
Dike – who also struggled with injuries while with the Portland Timbers from 2011 to 2013 – has made two appearances for the Nigerian national team, scoring one goal.
“He would have been here, yes,” Keshi said. “It’s a shame. But that’s football.”
Keshi will see a lot of MLS players on Saturday when Nigeria take on the US in their final World Cup tune-up in Jacksonville.
And while praising the US for being “a very good team,” he noted that he hasn’t really done much scouting of Saturday’s opponent as he prepares to bring his team to Brazil, where they will face Argentina, Bosnia-Herzegovina and Iran in Group F.
“Whatever’s happening to the US team is not really our concern,” Keshi said. “My concern is how I’m going to get my players to get back to the rhythm that we’re used to because it’s been a long time we’ve been apart.”
Nigerian captain Joseph Yobo, however, hopes his team will find a better result against the US than they did against Greece.
“I know a couple of players (on the US),” Yobo said. “They’re a very good team. It’s going to be a very good test for us. It’s going to be an exciting game and hopefully we can raise our game and give one of our best performances.”
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