2014 World Cup: Amokachi Questions Keshi’s Squad Selection

The Super Eagles reached the second round of the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, but Amokachi believes some players had no business in the squad 

The former Everton man questioned Keshi’s decision to drop some of the players who had played a part in Nigeria’s third continental title a year earlier.

The Super Eagle won their third Africa Cup of Nations title in 2013, but some members of that squad were dropped for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.

The likes of Ideye, John Ogu, Ike Uche and Sunday Mba were members of the 2013 title-winning team, but none was included in the side that went to Brazil.

Instead, Keshi decided to pick unheralded players like Shola Ameobi, Michael Uchebo, Michael Babatunde and Ejike Uzoenyi to the biggest showpiece on earth.

While they managed to equal their best finish at the World Cup- second round, Amokachi insists it was not right that some players from the 2013 team were omitted.

“Some players had no business going to the 2014 World Cup,” Amokachi said on his radio programme, “Bulls Pit”.

“One player who should have been part of the team is Brown Ideye. Unfortunately, he was dropped for some players who shouldn’t have gone to the World Cup.

“But truth is I wasn’t the coach, I was not in charge of picking the players,” he added.