Nations Cup :Ezeji doubts Eagles strike force

By Eddie Akalonu

Former Sharks, Enyimba and Dolphins hitman, Victor Ezeji has said that the Super Eagles lack the striking force to score goals in the Africa Cup of Nations in South Africa going by the provisional list released by coach Stephen Keshi.

Speaking to Saturday Vanguard sports on telephone, Ezeji said “there is no way a team would go to a competition of such magnitude without quality strikers to achieve good results,” adding, “only the coach has exclusive idea of the players he has chosen and I have no problem with that.”

Catalonia’s Martin Montoya (R) vies with Nigeria’s Benjamin Francis during the friendly football match between the selection of Catalonia and Nigeria at the Cornella-El Prat stadium in Cornella de Llobregat on January 2, 2013. AFP PHOTO

Continuing he said, “He has chosen our best and he knows why certain quality strikers, in my opinion, have been left out. I feel we need players who will get the goals, specifically, (Obafemi) Martins and Osaze (Odemwingie) are not there. May be Keshi has something up his sleeves, that’s why I won’t blame him for the decision now.”

Asked if he does not believe in players like Ahmed Musa, Ikechukwu Uche and Victor Moses as good scorers in the absence of Osaze and Martins, Ezeji said “Keshi has the final say. May be he wants to play a formation that would throw up other players as his jokers.”

The former national U-23 striker however said “I do sincerely expect our team to do well in South Africa no matter the opposition because our preparations have been well handled by the NFF, Keshi and his assistants. The team has engaged in good tune up matches.

“The coach has been articulate in handling preparations but like I said earlier, it’s the strike force I’m worried about. So, like any well meaning Nigerian, I wish them the best of luck because I believe that our team need to do well in the competition,” he stressed.