Sunday Oliseh on Emenike’s Exit: “Nobody is Irreplaceable”

Super Eagles Head Coach, Sunday Oliseh says nobody is irreplaceable as long as he remains the team’s handler.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Oliseh, who was reacting to the exit of Emmanuel Emenike from the team on Tuesday in Abuja, noted that only Nigeria was irreplaceable.

“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,’’ Oliseh said.

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 Nov. 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.

Oliseh said that some of his players were yet to arrive the team’s camp due to flight problem caused by the strike by the crew of Lufthansa airline.

He, however, assured that the football house had made alternative arrangements to enable the players join their colleagues in good time for the match.

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.

NAN reports that the 20 players trained under the watchful eyes of the Super Eagles coaching crew led by Oliseh.

Striker Obafemi Martins, midfielder Ogenyi Onazi and Portugal-based defender, Abdullahi Shehu, are yet to join the team following flight issues.

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 match scheduled for Nov. 17.

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