Guardian

FAR from the concerns expressed by many after the duo of Victor Moses and Kalu Uche elected to opt out of the Super Eagles friendly game against Mexico on May 31 in Houston, United States, as well as, crucial World Cup qualifiers and the Confederation Cup in Brazil, ex-internationals, Emmanuel Okala and Moses Kpakor say their absence will not deplete the fortunes of the African champions.

In fact, while Kpakor is of the opinion that with the way Coach Steven Keshi has tinkered with the team, capable replacements were abundant in all departments, Okala believes that fringe players would have the chance to prove their mettle in these positions.

Chelsea’s ace, Moses, who performed brilliantly at the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations in South Africa, said he is dropping out to treat a recurring injury and will not be fit in time for the World Cup qualifiers and the Confederations Cup.

His club say he will be with the rest of the squad for their pre-season tour of the states in order to be closely monitored by medics, but would not participate actively in the tour.

Turkey-based Uche claims he has been playing with injury for sometime now, but has, on the advice of his doctor, decided to use the opportunity provided by the off-season to undergo treatment.

Okala, Rangers Football Club of Enugu and Green Eagles legendary goalkeeper, in an interview with The Guardian said, “both players have done well for Nigeria in the recent past. Now that they are ailing, it is important for them to be allowed to take care of their health considering the importance of good health to athletes in particular and humans in general.”

He added that because of their pedigree, “they would be missed by the team, but this is what the team handlers can handle. Besides, their absence will give opportunities to fringe players to prove their worth.

“Having proved their worth in the team, their absence will hand new players the opportunity to show what they can do, in other words, their absence is an opportunity some other players have been waiting for to prove themselves,” Okala added.

For Kpakor, a former Super Eagles man-marker, “Moses’ injury has been very evident over the while if not since he returned to base from the African Cup of Nations. That I think explains why he has only been starting from the bench in most games in recent times.

However, “because of the work that Keshi has done on the team, by raising the team’s profile and also building a side where individual talents blend, I am very sure there are capable replacements for the duo. This is the reason I am saying that the team is not so injured by the ouster of Moses and Kalu.”