Friday, April 4, 2014
Super Eagles: Odemwingie and Keshi end 2 years feud
Nigerian international Peter Odemwingie says his relationship with Super Eagles head coach Stephen
Keshi has been mended after talks. Odemwingie has not been part
of Super Eagles since 2012, his last appearance with the Super
Eagles was during the 2013 African Nations Cup qualifier against
Rwanda and this is when his issues with the team erupted after he was
accused of reacting angrily to his substitution in the game.
Keshi
and Odemwingie's relationship went further south when the Stoke
striker was omitted from the 2013 AFCON squad and he was quick to
take to Twitter to vent his frustrations over the decisions made
against him. Odemwingie maintains he was overlooked because he often
speaks his mind.
Finally,
the reunion is here, the former West Brom striker has apologized to
Nigeria and Keshi and all is set and we are waiting for a re-invite
into the Super Eagles squad for the 2014 World Cup.
"I have been speaking with the coach, it's the only right thing to do," Osaze told BBC Sport.
"I had to be humble and make a step forward towards my senior colleagues," added the 32-year-old.
"You can't continue to stay in that angry state of mind. Staying in that state, it's not the right thing to do. It's never helpful for anyone," Odemwingie said.
"It was very disappointing at the time, it was hard to accept it. I had a strong feeling that it was Nigeria's time to win it. I was as frustrated as any other player."
Odemwingie expresses regrets over not being part of the team that won the AFCON championship early last year, speaking he said:
"I thought we could win it; Cameroon and Egypt were not there, Ghana were struggling and a few players were missing so I felt it was our chance. But I didn't make the squad," he said.
"And it would have been the tournament that I would have got scored goals than before, because I had moved to the Premier League and improved as a player - especially in front of goal."
"I'm very happy that we won it in the end because many names that had not been in the frame for the squad for the past 10 years were there and they helped the team lift the trophy," he said.
"I have been speaking with the coach, it's the only right thing to do," Osaze told BBC Sport.
"I had to be humble and make a step forward towards my senior colleagues," added the 32-year-old.
"You can't continue to stay in that angry state of mind. Staying in that state, it's not the right thing to do. It's never helpful for anyone," Odemwingie said.
"It was very disappointing at the time, it was hard to accept it. I had a strong feeling that it was Nigeria's time to win it. I was as frustrated as any other player."
Odemwingie expresses regrets over not being part of the team that won the AFCON championship early last year, speaking he said:
"I thought we could win it; Cameroon and Egypt were not there, Ghana were struggling and a few players were missing so I felt it was our chance. But I didn't make the squad," he said.
"And it would have been the tournament that I would have got scored goals than before, because I had moved to the Premier League and improved as a player - especially in front of goal."
"I'm very happy that we won it in the end because many names that had not been in the frame for the squad for the past 10 years were there and they helped the team lift the trophy," he said.
Seeing things in
a new light, Odemwingie is also thankful for the efforts made
by Super Eagles psychologist, Dr. Robinson Okuson who visited the soon
to be father for the second time during his first 6 months at Cardiff
City right before he joined Stoke City to discuss his relationship
with Keshi. However, while Odemwingie also admits that Keshi can do
without him at the upcoming World cup, he still appreciates “mutual respect”
"For me to hear that was very important on a human level. It's not about people, its always about the country. We're all defending the colours of our nation," he said.
"Coach Keshi can do without me at the World Cup and my life will go on as well, but the most important thing is mutual respect.
"Now I know how he does things and how he wants things done and vice versa."
"For me to hear that was very important on a human level. It's not about people, its always about the country. We're all defending the colours of our nation," he said.
"Coach Keshi can do without me at the World Cup and my life will go on as well, but the most important thing is mutual respect.
"Now I know how he does things and how he wants things done and vice versa."
Odemwingie
stated that he is available for selection and Keshi is yet to rule
out the possiblity of his return. Well, lets hope that this new
relationship will help the team in their quest to make an impact in
this summer's World tournament where the current African champions
will face Argentina,, Bosnia and Herzegovia and Iran in their Group
F.
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