Anichebe halts his Nigerian Career

By Arinze Ude

Everton striker Victor Anichebe has told Nigerian Football Federation and Super Eagles’ coach, Stephen Keshi that he doesn’t want to be picked for the national team for now. He had earlier been rumoured to replace injured striker, Emmanuel Emenike, in Nigeria squad for the World Cup qualifiers against Kenya and Namibia and the FIFA Confederations Cup in June. Anichebe, in an interview with BBC, said he wants to manage his body accordingly. He returned to action this season after a lengthy spell on the side-lines. He picked his last injury, a groin problem, from a game for the Super Eagles against Madagascar in 2011. “The best thing for me at the moment is to focus on club football.” He said. “I don’t blame anyone for this, nor do I have any issues with anybody from the NFF or Stephen Keshi our coach. “Without club football there is no international football and everyone at Everton was with me every step of the way during my injuries and rehabilitation and so I owe it to the club to manage myself correctly.” He explained. “I didn’t feel that the Nigerian federation was there for me then in the same manner, which was especially disappointing given that I got the injury representing my country. “But I don’t blame anyone for this nor do I have any issues with anybody from the NFF or Stephen Keshi our coach. “He has done a fantastic job and is building a team that Nigerians can be proud of.” Anichebe switched his allegiance to Nigeria in March 2008 after representing England at youth level. He had a dream debut, scoring in a 2-0 win over South Africa thus helping Nigeria U-23 led by Samson Siasia to reach the 2008 Beijing Olympics where they picked up the silver medal. “A lot of people ask me if I was sad that I wasn’t part of the Nations Cup winning team but I couldn’t have been happier because it brought so much happiness to Nigerians especially after there has been so much tragedy.” He said. “I know football cannot take away some of the pain it has caused but it was good for the country. “I am just like the 170 million Nigerians out there; I am a fan, obviously, as well as a player. “If I had gone would I be playing for my club at the level I am now? Perhaps not, so it worked out well for both sides. “The time is just not right for me to resume my international career as of yet but I would certainly love to represent my country in the not-too-distant future.”