Chukwu backs Uche’s recall
by George Akpayen 15 March 2011, 21:38
Former Super Eagles coach Christian Chukwu has given his approval for the recall of Real Zaragoza striker Ikechukwu Uche to the country’s senior national team.
Chukwu told SuperSport.com that he believes that current Nigerian handler Samson Siasia must have a very genuine reason for giving the player a quick return to the team ahead of the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Ethiopia on March 27 in Abuja.
“I believe that Siasia has a very genuine reason for inviting Ike Uche to the team for the Ethiopian game. I know people will say Uche still needs time to recover very well after that long injury.
“But it might just be that Siasia must have spoken to him to join the camp for the game so that he can know his condition. Do not forget that Uche was one of our important players before the World Cup and did not make the World Cup because of injury. His absence affected the team whether people agree or not.”
Uche was sidelined by a excruciate ligament injury for nine months until February this year when he made a return for his Spanish team Real Zaragoza in the La Liga.
Chukwu, who is due to end his tenure as interim head coach at Heartland called on fans across the country to show patience with the Super Eagles’ technical crew led by Siasia.
The 1980 Africa Cup of Nations winner is confident that the Super Eagles will triumph over their Ethiopian counterparts when both sides face each other on March 27.
“The boys know what is at stake. The coach does not need to shout into their ears that they need to beat Ethiopia. So I am sure that they will beat Ethiopia in that game. But my concern is for the coaches of the team.
"They need a lot of time to build a new team and at the same time, Nigerians must exercise patience in allo
wing the coaches build the team,” Chukwu said.
