Nigeria and Villarreal striker Ike Uche Villareal striker Ike Uche has been conspicuous by his absence from the Super Eagles lately despite scoring many goals for the La Liga side. Nigeria Coach, Stephen Keshi in an exclusive chat with supersport.com, revealed why.

“Ike Uche is one of the smartest finishers I have had to work with but his attitude to the team is very wrong. He does not buy into the team ethic of one for all and all for one we have been inculcating into this group of players” This apparently started at the South Africa 2013 Africa Cup of Nations

“I spoke to him several times to bide his time while on the subs bench. I gave him examples of how even back in ’94, Amuneke had to wait till the final for an appearance” Keshi says of Uche’s attitude.

“I understand when a player is frustrated at not starting matches but it is not right for the player to sit on the bench and making remarks about how the coaching and tactics are not right”.

Keshi also seemed to have tactically the chief coach has a few issues too with Uche.

“In our group stage match against Burkina Faso which was our opening game after we went a man down, he did very little to support the team defensively and when put before him during the post-match analyses he will not accept his failing”

Emmanuel Emenike got injured and was not available for the final and Uche started “he clamoured to start matches even with a wrong attitude but when Emenike was not available for the final I started him and expected him to put on a show but he did not.”

“I have a group of young players who have started to think and play like African Champions and I do not want anything or anyone that will disturb that team spirit. Nothing and no one is greater than the team” The “Big Boss” concluded.

It will be interesting to see if Uche will work his way back to reckoning ahead of the Brazil 2014 World Cup if Nigeria makes it.

Source: www.nigeriasoccernet.com/stephen-keshi-clarifies-ike-uches-super-eagles-exclusion/

striker9: You the boss,what about exclusion of Haruna despite being in form so far this season.

toluleke: Keshi we dnt av a problem with dat if u keep winning buh anyday i mean ANYDAY..U start fcking up..den we wod av problem wit ur attitude too

olatiler: Somebody should tell Keshi to keep his dirty mouth shot and say the real fact
Uche was among few player to insist buying a controversial wristwatch at 100,000$ ever since u heard about that he has turn to Rude player in ur side
Les I forget ever since then all his advise to team had been rejected and u now coming here to tell us lie so that u can get sympathy 4m public
Anyway Uche pls continue with ur current form in ur club and forget these foolish coach called Koshiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii