Nigeria coach Stephen Keshi plans to hold talks with Everton striker Victor Anichebe about his availability for the national team.
The bullish striker recently asked the national team coach to exempt him from Super Eagles matches so he could “manage his body accordingly”.
Keshi is trying to persuade the Liverpool born player to rethink his decision and return to the national team.
According to BBC Sport, Keshi said “Anichebe is a great striker. He is young, strong and gives us several options in attack. I plan to visit him in England and talk to him face to face.
“We’ve tried in the past on the telephone but now is the time to speak to him in a proper meeting atmosphere.
“He’s a smart boy, intelligent enough to know what is good for his body and we have to respect his fitness programme with his club.
“We have to put this into consideration when we talk to him. Hopefully, he can change his mind and make himself available to the Super Eagles.
“I need the support of the Nigeria Football Federation to make this happen as soon as possible because we cannot afford to lose a player like Victor Anichebe.”
Anichebe switched his allegiance to Nigeria in 2008 and scored on his International debut in a 2-0 win over South Africa in an Olympics qualifier. He went on to help the team win silver in Beijing.
But Anichebe has been plagued by injuries over the past few years, including a groin problem in his last appearance for Nigeria in a 2-0 win over Madagascar in 2011.
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This article was first published on 8th July 2013
arinzeude
Arinze Ude is a PhD Student at the University of the West of England Bristol, UK, where he's exploring on the mechanisms of donor cell leukaemia. He shares his deep thoughts on his blog and the Naked Convos. He is keen to promote personal development of the Nigerian youth via thought-provoking articles.
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Nigeria coach Stephen Keshi plans to hold talks with Everton striker Victor Anichebe about his availability for the national team.
The bullish striker recently asked the national team coach to exempt him from Super Eagles matches so he could “manage his body accordingly”.
Keshi is trying to persuade the Liverpool born player to rethink his decision and return to the national team.
According to BBC Sport, Keshi said “Anichebe is a great striker. He is young, strong and gives us several options in attack. I plan to visit him in England and talk to him face to face.
“We’ve tried in the past on the telephone but now is the time to speak to him in a proper meeting atmosphere.
“He’s a smart boy, intelligent enough to know what is good for his body and we have to respect his fitness programme with his club.
“We have to put this into consideration when we talk to him. Hopefully, he can change his mind and make himself available to the Super Eagles.
“I need the support of the Nigeria Football Federation to make this happen as soon as possible because we cannot afford to lose a player like Victor Anichebe.”
Anichebe switched his allegiance to Nigeria in 2008 and scored on his International debut in a 2-0 win over South Africa in an Olympics qualifier. He went on to help the team win silver in Beijing.
But Anichebe has been plagued by injuries over the past few years, including a groin problem in his last appearance for Nigeria in a 2-0 win over Madagascar in 2011.
