Nations Cup Qualifier: Keshi Targets 5 Local Stars For Rwanda Tie

Super Eagles coach Stephen Keshi has revealed he plans to pick at least five players from the Nigeria Premier League, NPL for a 2013 Nations Cup qualifier in Rwanda.

Nigeria battle Rwanda in Kigali in a Nations Cup qualifier on 29 February.

“I’m telling you early now, so that you can go out there and prove to me and the rest of the technical crew that you can play better than those who we often call upon from Europe,” Keshi told the local stars during a training session in Abuja.

“But the players must show the hunger that they are better than the ones who are coming from Europe and are ready to win games for Nigeria and resist showing any complex, because those who are now in Europe started from here.”

About six of the players led by Sunshine goalkeeper Moses Ocheje spoke on the coach’s challenge, promising to surprise him when training resumes today (Monday) after they skipped training on Christmas Day.

Two more test games have been fixed for the team. The first game on Tuesday will be against non-league, Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMACO), while the second on Wednesday is against National League Division One club, Ranch Bees of Kaduna.

Keshi said these games will afford him a second look at the players and their readiness for the task ahead.

“We must get some of these boys into the main team and it’s through games like the ones ahead and the one we have played before that we can discover the ones who are ready to give Nigerians joy in the new order,”

MTNFootball.com reports that an international friendly has been fixed for 7 January.

Cheering news hit the training camp on Christmas Eve when Enyimba goalkeeper, Godwin Paul’s wife gave birth to their first child, a baby girl.

“It was a safe delivery, baby and mother are in good shape,” said Paul.

“Maybe, she will play for the Super Falcons (national women’s team) in future.”

Meanwhile, Heartland defender Chibuzor Okonkwo and James Okwuosa of Enugu Rangers, have left the training camp in Abuja.

Okonkwo was given permission to attend to some personal issues, while Okwuosa was probably home-sick and started given all manner of reasons why he should leave at the weekend.

Team Co-ordinator, Emmanuel Atta said there are plans to replace Okwuosa.