The Super Eagles Coach, Stephen Keshi, on Monday said he would never beg any player to feature for Nigeria in the national team.
Keshi told newsmen in Abuja while reacting to insinuation by football fans that he was literally begging Osaze Odemwingie, the England based player, to return to the Eagles' camp.
“This is one thing you have to know about me; nobody begs me to play for Nigeria, nobody begs me to play football. I will never beg anybody to play.”
According to him, even though the player was not happy with the national team and had the intention to leave, he (Odemwingie) did not decide not to play for Nigeria.
“Osaze has not decided not to play for Nigeria, it is true he had that in mind but it was pending.
“Should I play, should I not play, I am tired, I am not happy with the situation at the national team and I think that was one of the reasons he did not call me back.
“But finally when I spoke to him before the game against Liberia, he told me everything on phone but whatever happened before, I was not there. This is a new slate, a new page; come, let’s talk and then we iron things out. ”
The coach said he would call the player to play with the team whenever he is ready, adding that he would not force any player.
He said: `if you call me I will come'; he never said I was not going to play, yet he was thinking about it and I try to convince him to come.
“He is ready to play for Nigeria and I will call him when I feel he is ready.”
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that 24 players were invited to camp but 22 have turned up for the first training session.
Gambo Mohammed and Ejike Uzoenyi are the two players expected in camp toward their preparation for Venezuela international friendly on Nov. 14.
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