Super Eagles Head Coach, Sunday Oliseh, has reacted to the exit of Emmanuel Emenike, saying nobody is irreplaceable as long as he is in charge of the team
Emenike quit the national team in October “for the sake of national peace.”
Responding on Tuesday, Oliseh said: “Emenike served Nigeria well and I think he gave it a lot of thought before he decided to retire; we wish him all the best, but nobody is irreplaceable, only Nigeria is irreplaceable.
“I think Nigeria produced great players Africa has ever seen, but they retired and Nigeria did not die, however, we should thank him (Emenike) for what he did for Nigeria.”
He said that in spite of his health challenges, the Super Eagles 2018 World Cup qualifying match against Swaziland scheduled to take place in Lobamba, Swaziland on November 13 was his major focus at present.
Oliseh, who described the Swaziland encounter as very crucial, said that his ambition was to see the country play at the 2018 World Cup in Russia.
“I want to get my country to the pool stage and eventually to the World Cup and that is what our ambition is.
“We always have the reason to entertain fear against any opponent, because if we don’t respect them, we will be kicked out and this is a World Cup qualifier.
“Swaziland is a difficult team; the team shocked Guinea and it is not going to be easy playing them, especially on an artificial turf in their home.
“So, we know what is waiting for us because we have had our wake-up call with Tanzania; the boys are in good spirit, so, I am optimistic,” he said.
The former Super Eagles captain, who assured that everybody would be given an opportunity to play, said that where each player plied his trade would not matter to him, so long as he got the needed results.
“Everybody has a chance of playing; we didn’t invite anybody here for holiday.
“As far as I am concerned, where one play doesn’t matter; if a home player proves to be better in form, he will start the game,’’ he said.
Twenty-one players trained under the watchful eyes of the Super Eagles coaching crew led by Oliseh on Tuesday.
Striker Obafemi Martins, midfielder Ogenyi Onazi and Portugal-based defender, Abdullahi Shehu, were yet to join the team following flight problem.
The team which is expected to depart Abuja for Swaziland on a chartered Arik airline would fly direct to Port Harcourt after the encounter for the return leg scheduled for November 17.
