Villareal striker Ike Uche has been conspicuous by his
absence from the Super Eagles lately despite scoring many goals for the La Liga
side.
Nigeria coach, Stephen Keshi in recent chat revealed why.
“Ike Uche is one of the smartest finishers I have had to
work with but his attitude to the team is very wrong. He does not buy into the
team ethic of one for all and all for one we have been inculcating into this
group of players”
This apparently started at the South Africa 2013 Africa Cup
of Nations
“I spoke to him several times to bid his time while on the
subs bench. I gave him examples of how even back in ’94, Amuneke had to wait
till the final for an appearance”.
“I understand when a player is frustrated at not starting
matches but it is not right for the player to sit on the bench and making
remarks about how the coaching and tactics are not right”.
Keshi also seemed to have a few issues too with Uche.
“In our group stage match against Burkina Faso which was our
opening game after we went a man down, he did very little to support the team
defensively and when put before him during the post-match analyses he would not
accept his failing.”
“Emmanuel Emenike got injured and was not available for the
final and Uche started, he clamoured to start matches even with a wrong
attitude but when Emenike was not available for the final I started him and
expected him to put on a show but he did not.
“I have a group of young players who have started to think
and play like African champions and I do not want anything or anyone that will
disturb that team spirit. Nothing and no one is greater than the team,” the
“Big Boss” concluded.
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