Keshi not fair to Ike Uche, Ideye – Ekpo

The decision of coach Stephen Keshi to shut Spain-based striker, Ike Uche and Brown Ideye out of his World Cup plan this summer has been described as totally unfair on the players. Id­eye, it would be noted played a leading role in the team’s quali­fication.

Expressing his views on Keshi’s 30-man list released on Tuesday night, former Super Eagles mid­fielder, Friday Ekpo said it was a shock to him that Keshi would shut the door on Ike Uche, not­ing that if he could forgive Osaze Odemwingie after all the insults he heaped on him, then Keshi had no justification to exclude the striker.

“Yes, we’re all human and are bound to err just the way Ike Uche erred but I believe Keshi should have given him a sec­ond chance, just as he has given to Osaze. I didn’t expect that he would exclude the player from the provisional list and it makes me sad. Uche deserves to be given a chance based on his current form.”

On Ideye, the former BCC Li­ons of Gboko midfield command­er stated that he also felt Keshi made a mistake by not picking the player. “Ideye may miss chances in a game but at times he comes in handy and I believe he would have been useful to the Super Eagles.”

While noting that Keshi is the man in charge and knows better as the handler of the team, Ekpo said all Nigerians need do now is to pray for the team to do well, though he has his doubts given the form of many of the players picked.