Former international Olusegun Fetuga has
advised Nigeria coach Sunday Oliseh not to overlook the likes of
Kelechi Iheanacho and Taiwo Awoniyi in his new-look Super Eagles as the
coach makes effort to strengthen the team.
Oliseh is expected to name a preliminary
squad when he returns to Nigeria next week ahead of their 2017 Africa
Cup of Nations qualifier against the Taifa Stars of Tanzania in
September.
While Oliseh is focussed on inviting
only experienced players to the team, Fetuga believes key players in the
Flying Eagles squad, which won the 2015 African Youth Championship and
featured in the U-20 World Cup, are good enough for the senior team.
“Oliseh is professional enough to select
his team without sentiment. I support his stand to invite only players
with adequate experience; this is not the time to involve players who
are benchwarmers at the clubs,” Fetuga said.
“While
I oppose the idea of involving all the players from the Flying Eagles
in the Super Eagles programmes, I believe outstanding players like
Iheanacho and Awoniyi have proven themselves worthy of being in the
senior team.
“Iheanacho has been in the limelight for
Manchester City throughout their pre-season activities. Any wise coach
will know that this is the best time to get the player committed to his
team. Awoniyi was also active for the national U-23 team despite not
having a topflight club to play for.”
Fetuga said Oliseh’s rebuilding method
should not be seen as a means of disintegrating the team following the
sacking of Stephen Keshi as coach of the Super Eagles.
“Many people agreed that some players
didn’t have the quality required to be in the Eagles before Oliseh came.
The team should not be used for experiments to determine the level of
intelligence of some players. It should be for professionals only,”
Fetuga said.
“If Oliseh decides to invite only the
best players from home and abroad, he should be supported. No sentiment
should be attached. I don’t think his method will destabilise the team
in any way. Only the best players will be retained in the team.”
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