By Tony Ubani who was in Egypt
Coach Samson Siasia has explained reasons why Arsenal wonder boy Alex Iwobi did not get a starting shirt in the all important game against the Pharaohs in Alexandria on Tuesday.

Nigeria’s national football team head coach Samson Siasia during the African Cup of Nations qualification match between Egypt and Nigeria, on March 25, 2016, in Kaduna.

Iwobi whose introduction in the first leg against Egypt brought spark to the Eagles attack in Kaduna endured a lengthy time on the bench in Alexandria before coming in to substitute Umar Aminu after Egypt had scored their damaging goal against the Eagles. But the little time he played, he brought agony to the Egyptian defenders. Many fans wondered why Siasia kept him on the bench when all the team needed was a terror like Iwobi.

”I promised attacking football against Egypt in the return game. But Iwobi was ill. It was painful because I wanted him to even start the game and put pressure on the Egyptians. You cannot risk the health of your player or go against the Doctors. We work hand in hand. I feel pained he did not start but he justified the little time that he played.”

There were still questions on why Siasia also benched Simon Moses Daddy, Belgian Club KAA Gent player who also showed promise in the first leg in Kaduna that ended 1-1. ”This is not the time for us to be finding faults on who played and who did not play. These boys did well and we should be proud of them. I invited them because we wanted a positive result. I understand how people feel but these boys have shown that Nigeria will soon take over the game in Africa and the world. We should appreciate them”, Siasia said.