Super Eagles coach, Stephen Keshi has explained why he left out Chelsea midfielder, John Mikel Obi and goalkeeper, Austin Ejide from his squad, that will play Chad in the Africa Cup of Nations qualifier on June 13.
The Big Boss, speaking to the media on Saturday, denied that he is having issues with Mikel Obi and revealed that he spoke to him about his exclusion.
“I decided not to bring him (Mikel) because right now I don’t need him for this game. Mikel and I spoke. We talked about it and he said no problem,” Keshi said.
“I told him we will talk for the September game.
“For Ejide, we are playing only a game now which is against Chad. So bringing in two foreign based goalkeepers is [uncalled for], I think I would rather give room to two local goalkeepers to go with captain [Vincent] Enyeama.
“If it were to be two games, I would have invited two foreign based goalkeepers. That actually informed my exclusion of Mikel and Austin Ejide.
“So with these three goalkeepers in camp, it should be okay for the game. If we do not give them the room and opportunity to grow, when will they become Ejide or Vincent Enyeama or Emmanuel Okala?”
