Respect the home Eagles - Oguchi
Heartland defender, Uche Oguchi wants respect for the 30 players selected by Super Eagles coach, Stephen Keshi for the February 15 international friendly between Nigeria and Liberia.
Three goalkeepers, eight defenders, 11 midfielders and eight strikers were called up by Keshi on Thursday and Oguchi, who is among the players called up says its time for the local-based players to earn their stripes.
“We have to show that we deserve respect just like our foreign-based counterparts. The assumption is that the local-based players are not good enough to play for the Super Eagles but it’s time for us to show that we can do what the foreign-based players can do too,” Oguchi told SuperSport.com.
The former Dolphins strong man also took out time to assess the opposition as well as rate the chances of the Super Eagles for the February 15 clash.
“To be honest, I don’t know much about the present Liberian side but from what is happening right now at the (2012) Africa Cup of Nations in Gabon and Equatorial Guinea it is clear that there are no small teams in African football.
“We however want to assure Nigerians that we will get a good result against Liberia. We are going there to win,” he said.
The Super Eagles are expected to leave for Monrovia on February 13.
THE SQUAD LIST:
GOALKEEPERS: Chigozie Agbim (Warri Wolves), Okemute Odah (Sharks), Daniel Akpeyi (Heartland)
DEFENDERS: Juwon Oshaniwa (Sharks), Osasco Omomo (Sunshine Stars), Azubuike Egwuekwe (Warri Wolves), Godfrey Oboabona (Sunshine Stars), Gbenga Arokoyo (Kwara United), Uche Oguchi (Heartland), Ahmed Adesope (3SC), Papa Idris (Kano Pillars)
MIDFIELDERS: Uche Ossai (Warri Wolves), Kola Anubi (Sharks), Ejike Uzoenyi (Enugu Rangers), Bartholomew Ibenegbu (Heartland), Kingsley Salami (Heartland), Stanley Ohawuchi (Heartland), Reuben Gabriel (Kano Pillars), Henry Uche (Enyimba), Solomon Jabason (Akwa United), Chidi Osuchukwu (Dolphins), Daniel Etor (Niger Tornadoes)
STRIKERS: Sunday Emmanuel (Enyimba), Sunday Mba (Warri Wolves), Jude Aneke (Warri Wolves), Izu Azuka (Sunshine Stars), Barnabas Imenger (Kwara Utd), Kabiru Umar (Heartland), Uche Kalu (Enyimba), Ifeanyi Ede (Enyimba).