Ike Uche, Haruna get Eagles recall

Ikechukwu Uche

It is almost cetain that Ikechukwu Uche and Lukman Haruna have played themselves back to the Super Eagles. The players are to be recalled to the Eagles ahead of the World Cup in Brazil, Nigeria football officials have said.

A report by MTNFootball.com stated that both players could get their chance as early as next month’s pre-World Cup friendly against Mexico in the USA. Dynamo Kiev midfielder Haruna has been superb for his Ukrainian club after a recent injury setback, while Villarreal striker Uche has scored 12 goals in La Liga. Indeed The PUNCH checks on Uche confirmed that the Nigerian striker led the five major leagues of Europe in January. The attacker was the highest goal scorer last month having scored six goals. No other striker in England, Spain, Germany, Italy or France scored up to that level for the period.

But even though the player may be hot with goals this term, a hamstring injury he suffered last week may stop him from the Mexico match.

Both players are staging a comeback after a long break. Haruna last played for Nigeria at the 2010 World Cup under Lars Lagerback, while Uche has not been involved with the national team since he played below expectation at the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations in South Africa, which Nigeria incidentally won.

Nigeria coach Stephen Keshi has been under immense pressure to recall the players and others doing well.

It was also learnt that several other players who were not part of the qualifiers for Brazil 2014, but have been doing well at their various clubs in Europe will also be considered by coach Stephen Keshi.

“My team will be open to any Nigerian player who is doing well,” Keshi maintained.

Players are also getting in from the Eagles B team that just featured in the African Nations Championship. Keshi was said to have singled out Ejike Uzoenyi, who left South Africa as the Most Valuable Player, for special mention.

 He said, “It will be to my delight if four players from this team we have taken to CHAN can make it to the World Cup in Brazil, but you must be dedicated, respect your club coaches and make discipline your watchword.”

Uzoenyi, Ali Abubakar and Kunle Odunlami made the Confederation of Africa Football XI for the competition and have been tipped as those with the strongest chances of contesting for a place to Brazil in June. Chigozie Agbim and Azubuike Egwukwe are already established regulars with the main squad.

The Eagles are due to resume training camp by the end of the month ahead of the friendly against Mexico on March 5.