Omeruo takes shot at Renard
Super Eagles rising star defender Kenneth Omeruo says Zambia’s coach Herve Renard was short-sighted in his poor rating of Nigeria.
Zambia coach Renard last week said that the current Super Eagles team was the worst of its generation, after watching Nigeria’s scoreless draw against Cape Verde in a friendly on January 9 in Portugal.
Omeruo, who made his debut in that match as a second half substitute, told supersport.com that Renard had made a very rushed judgment especially about new faces like him.
Renard is itching for payback against Nigeria who eliminated Zambia in the two sides’ last Africa Nations Cup meeting in 2010, at the quarterfinal stage in Angola.
"I think everyone is entitled to his own opinion but I think he judged from one game," Omeruo said.
"It is the same thing that led South Africa to finish goalless (against Cape Verde).
"I think he will see it against Burkina Faso and in the next game (against Zambia)."
The 19-year-old Dutch-based defender will be making his Africa Cup debut with just one cap to his name.
"I didn’t expect to be in the team this quick but the preparations have been good, and fitness is good, we are ready," Omeruo said.
The talented right-back is currently on loan to Dutch side ADO Den Haag from English club Chelsea.
Zambia and Nigeria will face off in the marquee game in their penultimate Group C tie on January 25 at Mbombela Stadium in Nelspruit.
