Keshi considers Anichebe, Eneramo for Emenike’s role

 

Super Eagles coach, Stephen Keshi
| credits: File copy

Coach Stephen Keshi is considering having any of Victor Anichebe of Everton, Turkey-based Michael Eneramo or Joseph Akpala of Werder Bremen to fill Emmanuel Emenike’s role in the Super Eagles attack ahead of the World Cup qualifiers in June. The need to secure a replacement for Emenike arose because the attacker returned to the treatment table last week after sustaining a hamstring injury during a league match in Russia. His latest condition will rule him out of action for six weeks, according to Spartak Moscow doctors.

Emenike was first sidelined for about two months with a hamstring injury he picked up against Mali in the semi-final of the recent Africa Cup of Nations in South Africa.

Apart from the World Cup qualifiers against Kenya and Namibia in June, Nigeria will also feature in the FIFA Confederations Cup in Brazil next month.

“I am sad with the injury of my top striker. I called him the other day to ask how fast (he was recovering) and he said, ‘coach, I’m out but I’m with the team.’ It’s really sad but that is football for you,” Keshi was quoted as saying by mtnfootball.com on his return to Nigeria from the US on Monday.

“I’ve listed three players as his replacement with Victor Anichebe top on the list and Joseph Akpala and Micheal Eneramo. But I am just hearing that Anichebe has said he would not be available for selection, which is very sad.

“I have made efforts in the past to speak with him through Yakubu Aiyegbeni, Joseph Yobo and (Dickson) Etuhu but he said he was not ready to play. I will still make effort to reach him, you never can tell, I could be able to convince him to have a change of mind.”

Keshi also hailed the return to action of AFCON hero Sunday Mba at the weekend for Enugu Rangers in a CAF Champions League clash in Angola.

“It’s a very good thing that is all I have been preaching since because the boy needs to be regular in action. He also scored for Rangers which is very good. I am happy for him,” the coach said.

Keshi had threatened to drop Mba from the Eagles if he continued to stay without playing active football. The match in Angola was the first major club game for the attacker since the country won the African cup last February as Rangers and Warri Wolves battled over the rights to his signature.