
By Telema Davies
Reactions have continued to trail Coach Stephen Keshi’s 23-man list for the Nigerian squad to participate at the FIFA World Cup™. Fans, football journalists and even activists, took to several platforms to share their opinions on those who made the final cut and those who were cut from the initial call-up to camp. Here are a few tweets from the popular social networking and micro-blogging site, Twitter.
Kickoff Nigeria magazine editor, Colin Udoh was on the end of a feverish tweet with a bit of humour: @ColinUdoh ‘The best catch-phrase to capture one’s mood about Keshi’s selection is just to say “CHAI, THERE IS GOD O!”’
Football journalist, @CalvinEmeka was overwhelmingly emotional: “Please if you ring me and I don’t pick forgive me. Am still poring over the List looking for Uzoenyi’s name. it has to be there…surely?”
Ex-Super Eagles skipper and midfield maestro, @IAmOkocha: “Finally the list is out…I suppose the only player I wished was on the list is Brown Ideye..”
Supersport analyst, @EmekaEnyadike: “Are these the best Players? No! I don’t think they are…but so was the Afcon 2013 team. Could they perform as a team? That could be the key”
Award winning sports journalist, @ToyinIbitoye isn’t left out as he tweeted: “I feel so pained for Ejike Uzoenyi, Sunday Mba, Oduamadi…but so happy for Nwofor, Odunlami and Ramon Azeez”
@PoojaBlog, a rising sports blogger shared his thought: “Uzoenyi Ejike & @mba_sunday should have been on THAT LIST but like PoojaBlog is not the Coach but the Big Boss…”
Goal.com writer and lead journalist @EddyDove, was left puzzled: “Keshi bewilders with Nigeria Squad Selection. How can we explain it?” And he states further: “So #BabatundeGoesToBrazil but Joel, Uzoenyi, Obinna, Mba stay at home…how do we explain this?”
Leading football media outfit @GoalcomNigeria: “Keshi beguiles with Squad Selection”
@omojuwa a social critic, Arsenal Football fan and longtime Super Eagles supporter is curious: “20 years after our first world cup, will the 2014 Super Eagles stand up?”
African cup of nations final goal scorer and one of few players cut from the list, @mba_sunday shares his feelings in the aftermath of its (the List) release;
“I have accepted my fate. Let’s pray and wish the team a good outing in brazil…starting from tonight’s warm-up game”
The Nigerian coach unveiled his final list which was duly submitted to world’s football governing body, FIFA on June 2. There was however, a delay of its release to the public which was alluded to the fact that Coach Stephen Keshi had insisted on talking with his players before any further action. Nigeria’s Super Eagles contingent to Brazil consists of 3 goalkeepers, 8 defenders, 5 midfielders and 7 forwards. The team, as well as other invited players, are currently in the united states of America for camping where a few warm-up games have been scheduled for them before they depart for the biggest football fiesta in the world.
Joseph Yobo, who captains the side, will make his final appearance at the World Cup.