Wednesday, 19 August 2015

Why I snubbed Odion Ighalo - Oliseh



Super Eagles Coach Sunday Oliseh yesterday explained why he snubbed the in-form Watford of England forward, Odion Ighalo from his list of invitees for the September 6 Nations Cup qualifier against Tanzania, insisting that the player will have no role to play in the away game.

Briefing the media after training Tuesday evening,  Oliseh said the crew issued invitation to two players for each position, adding that for him, Anthony Ujah and Emmanuel Emenike have better potentials to deliver for the national team. He however assured that the power-playing striker is still in his plans.

“Odion Ighalo is in my plan; but for this first match against Tanzania we are inviting two players in each position, trying to bring competition into position. It is useless inviting three players for one position, pay their flights and everything only to use one or two of them”.

The former international further added that the new thinking is also geared to ensure that players get the respect due them arguing that there is no need to bring a professional player only to consign him to the bench.

Speaking further, Oliseh said the invitation of Ujah and Emenike was also not out of place because they have what it takes to deliver on a good day.

“But there’s also some big weight in Emenike and Ujah; Emenike, nations cup winner and Ujah who has scored ten goals in the German Bundesliga; we are talking about league of the world champions here”

Oliseh decries clubs’ reluctance to release players

Super Eagles coach, Sunday Oliseh has expressed satisfaction with the output of some of the home based invitees, but regretted that most clubs held back their players because of midweek fixtures.

According to him, with just 14 players in camp, the crew has been forced to alter its programme, which he said is not good for the target set for the team.

“Those who are commenting that emphasis is placed on invited professional players should ask themselves questions, because we are now back in our country to train but nobody to  train with. The clubs are holding their players back. What we have to do from  the beginning is to change our programme, if they hold back their players how do they expect the players to catch up with what we are doing” Oliseh asked?

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