The list of 11 foreign-based players was released last weekend and mixed reactions have been trailing the exclusion of stars like Mikel Obi and Osaze Odemwingie. However, Ike, who was Nigeria first choice keeper at the 2002 World Cup, told Complete Sports that everything was done professionally and in good faith devoid of any personal sentiment.
“There is no doubt that all the players that have been invited are the ones we need for that particular match in Monrovia, and there is no need reading any unnecessary meaning into who is there and who is not there for now," he said.
“Nigeria is a big country with so many players both home and abroad, and the head coach is not having anything against any player whatsoever. They will all get their chances depending on the need at any particular time. That is the practice all over the world, most especially when a team is undergoing rebuilding just like we are doing now. No doubt, people must have different opinions as usual, but what matters is that we are working with the aim of winning that encounter, and we have decided to invite some players based on that.”
The current Eagles head coach Stephen Keshi has continued to build his team around the home-based players since he took over the team late last year following the sacking of Samson Siasia, and Shorunmu says the players are showing promise with each passing day, saying the trend will persist as long as they are doing well in training.
“They are getting better in training and with each game they play, and if they can hold their own against the foreign-based stars, they will continue to get their chances- even in big games,” he enthused.
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