2014 WORLD CUP QUALIFIER:STEPHEN KESHI SELECTION;NEPOTISM ABOVE MERIT
On 3rd November 2013,super Eagle head coach Stephen Keshi released a 25-man list of player that will prosecute the second leg of the world cup play-off qualifier which will take place at the U.J Esuene stadium in Calabar on 16 November 2013.
The 25-man listed will prosecute the world cup qualifier against Ethiopia and then travel to fulham's craven cottage to take on the Italian national team on November 19.

The Eagles hold a 2-1 lead going into the second leg and last met the Italians during the 1994 world cup where the Italians scrapped to a 2-1 win in the second round.
Among players that are called-up are the bulk of player who won the first leg at addis Abba,five are from the Nigeria professional football league and 20 others that ply their trade in Europe, with some player who were injured before,back in the team. While some players who have constantly been involve in their club games across European league with some eye-catching display are missing. Though one acknowledges that their are sizable number of players that can be invited for a match.
Also one will belive that all the players invited merit the invitation extended to them.
In sane climes where the system are well organized,invitations of player into the nation team are majorly based on performances and fitness level of the player. But such has become the antilogy since keshi won the Africa cup of Nation in February.
Keshi incessant invitation of players that are rarely feature for their club-side or player whose performances are below average at some lowly rated cub in a country where the best club-side are not a peer to a mid table club in either English or spanish league will not go without people like me raise eye-brow,with the crucial second leg play-off against Ethiopia in calabar on the road,one would expect the super Eagles handler to pick the best legs for the decisive encounter;players with at least average performances for the respective club-side and 100% fit,but Keshi would never cease to amaze me with invitation to some players who are fringes,frinds? Oh out injured,found their way into the super Eagles squared,player that their display are crack and asylum are welcome into the camp of Africa champion,what a shame! With the array of talented player that nigeria have got,player like Ruben Gabriel who has not kicked a ball for his club Kilmarnock in scotish league this season,though he is injure,his invitation really shows that things are not done in a precise way. On what criteria did Obinna Usofor or uche Uwafor earn a place in the squared when there are players like Ikechukwu uche and Sone Aluko missing,made some football pundit in the country to have dissenting view on Keshi sincerity with his selection of players and who don the green and white jersey of Nigeria.
The inclusion of players like Lukuman Haruna who have being in superlative form for his club Dynamo kyie in ukrainian league,Sone aluko and Ikechukwu Uche Stunning form for Hull city in England and Villarreal in spain respectively would have add more impetus to the team.
The incisive and inclusive contribution of these omitted(Uche,aluko,Lukuman and host of others) player is unquantifiable. Someone might need to remind Keshi that we need our best leg against Italy four days later,giving that whole number of players that will be involed against Ethiopia may not play pivotal part in the match versus Italy.
Therefore,Keshi continuous omission of our in form player is ominous,disheartened and some need to stunted Keshi of this bizarre attitude,it only give room for a skeptical opinion on our national team's ability,keshi will held if the players failed to live up to expectation against Ethiopia and Italy.
As a patriotic Nigerians,I wish keshi and his team luck.......... Cheer

Fayemiro ola

Imagine him inviting igiebor whos injured 4 so long, mba clubless, ogu,nd elderson who are nt regulars in their club. Nd shutng out lukman nd taiwo who are regulars in their team.

Nt only is gabriel reuben injured, d deal dat took him 2 scotland has nt b sanctioned by scotisf fa laws. Nd if kilmarnock dares 2 play him they ll b automaticaly relegated.

As long as he gets d required results who cares

Though so many typos,i agree with d article.Igiebor is currently injured and has been missing 4rm his club's last 3 matches and yet he gets a call-up.
Im begining to conclude dat keshi dont even follow dese players club matches.
Cos if he does,a lot of players wouldnt be on dat list.