Keshi-I clipped Mikel's wings

Keshi said on Tuesday that any player who makes himself unavailable in the team will have his position taken by another.

“There is no superstar in this team. Everybody works for one another. You have 170 million people in Nigeria and if you leave, there will be somebody else to take your place. Everybody thinks anyone playing abroad is ready and is a great player but that’s not true,” Keshi told Al Jazeera.

“There are no guaranteed shirts for anyone. You have to work hard to play for me.”

The 2013 Africa Cup of Nations winner revealed how he integrated Mikel Obi in the team after the player had attracted criticisms from Nigerians.

He said, “When I wanted to bring in John Obi Mikel, I left him out. I told him he had problems with Nigerians, he had the big-player mentality. He called me and said he’d like to come back to the national team but I refused and hung up.

“He called back again and asked me to hear him out. I told him I was trying to build a team and these players were respectful, they gave their hearts out. They wanted to play for Nigeria and ensure the team does well. You won’t do that for us, we don’t need you, I told him that.

“His agent called and I refused to talk to him. So Mikel called back again and I said let’s talk. At that point, almost 80 per cent of Nigerians didn’t want to see him in the national squad. And I told him that. But I also took the risk and he agreed to the conditions. Ever since then, he’s been a great professional with great attitude in training. He’s a different Mikel and I told him to enjoy his game and have fun.”

Keshi also disclosed that Stoke City striker Osaze Odemwingie would fit in his squad for the World Cup but admitted the player, who has apologised for his infamous comments on the coach and the Nigeria Football Federation, is stubborn.

“We’re all stubborn. It’s just how we manage the player,” Keshi said. “I just need to be able to manage the player and that’s it. Odemwingie is a great player and a great person. If he’s stubborn, that doesn’t mean he can’t play for the national side. He’s stubborn because of the way he was talked to or the way he was approached.”

Source : Punchng