Unrepentant West Bromwich Albion striker Osaze Odemwingie has been dropped by Nigeria coach Samson Siasia for disciplinary reasons from next month’s two matches against Argentina and Ethiopia.
Siasia punished Odemwingie for walking out on the team before a friendly against Kenya in March, and the striker, who has netted 15 goals in the English Premier League, has yet to apologise for his misconduct.
“The other players in the team had threatened to stage a mass protest and back out of other matches if I failed to sanction Osaze for leaving the camp in Abuja without permission,” said Siasia.
“I had no option but to do this to instil discipline in the team.”
Siasia added: “I didn’t want a situation where I or Nigeria would be totally disgraced by the players. Let discipline be maintained. Osaze is not bigger than the team or the whole Nigeria.”
Siasia is known as a stiff disciplinarian dropping Chelsea midfielder John Obi Mikel from the 2008 Olympics where they reached the final.
He recalled Dynamo Kiev midfielder Yusuf Ayila, who last featured at the 2010 World Cup, for the friendly against Argentina on June 1 in Abuja and an Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Ethiopia on June 5 in Addis Adeba.
The full squad:
Goalkeepers: Vincent Enyeama (Hapoel Tel Aviv/ISR), Dele Aiyenugba (Bnei-Yehuda/ISR), Austin Ejide (Hapoel Petah Tikva/ISR)
Defenders: Joseph Yobo (Fenerbache/TUR), Taye Taiwo (Marseille/FRA), Dele Adeleye (Metalurh Donetsk/UKR), Chibuzor Okonkwo (Heartland), Efe Ambrose (Ashdod/ISR), Yusuf Mohammed (Al Hilal/SUD)
Midfielders: John Obi Mikel (Chelsea/ENG), Joel Obi (Inter Milan/ITA), Fengor Ogude (Valerenga/NOR), Nosa Igiebor (Lillesrom/NOR), Nnamdi Oduamadi (AC Milan/ITA), Promise Isaac (Manisaspor/TUR), Kalu Uche (Almeria/SPA), Yusuf Ayila (Dynamo Kiev/UKR)
Forwards: Obinna Nsofor (West Ham/ENG), Ikechukwu Uche (Real Zaragoza/SPA), Ekigho Ehiosun (Warri Wolves), Ahmed Musa (VVV Venlo/NED), Victor Anichebe (Everton/ENG), Peter Utaka (OB Odense/DEN), Emmanuel Emenike (Karabukspor/TUR)
-AFP
Siasia should may fail. If his player will b d one tell him what do. Γ̲̣̣ can’t he just fine :him. He lost WAFU. He is use losing in the final,tel Siasia work on his luck.i like him but i love odewinge. The best for now.
Osaze did a mistake,leaving d camp without permission,agree,i think he have 2 apologize bcos disciple matter alot.but he have 2 b 4giving and called back,bcos we are ment 2 4give 1another.also he is a key player in d super eagles squad.up nigeria
“The other players in the team had threatened to stage a mass protest and back out of other matches if I failed to sanction Osaze for leaving the camp in Abuja without permission,” said Siasia.
“I had no option but to do this to instil discipline in the team.” - Siasia.
Siasia should have acted earlier than now.I am dissappointed to know that it was the players who forced his hands to act.A group of players who wants to work for eachother can surmount any opposition,and can cope with the absence of any player.I am forced to think that this issue may led to their defeat in WAFU Cup finals.Siasia must wake up now.He should know that there many who wants him to fail and Osaze may be working for those people.
i like Osaze. he may have scored 15 goal in England. he may be one of the best we have; but indiscipline should not be tolerated.
pls Siasia, go ahead and do even worse to any indisciplined player irrespective of status. Nigerian players are fund of that when dey start getting little “popular”
they 4get that they are still small, when compared to the best in the world.
Please discipline Osaze. He critized Amodu, Lagerback, Eguavoen, etc. with unruly comments from a player that should be looked up to by upcoming stars. That is the spike of indiscipline. Throw him out if he feels too big and lets move on. there are more stars in Nigeria waiting to be arnest. Even if we dont win today, we can build and be on top tomorrow. thank you.