World Cup: Rangers ‘unhappy’ with Uzoenyi, Mba’s exclusion

Enugu Rangers has expressed disappointment at the exclusion of Ejike Uzoenyi from Nigeria’s 23-man squad for the 2014 FIFA World Cup finals in Brazil.* The Flying Antelopes’ media officer, Foster Chime, told KickOffNigeria.com that he was surprised by the exclusion of Uzoenyi, who was voted the Most Valuable Player at the African Nations Championship (CHAN) held earlier in the year in South Africa, as well as Sunday Mba, the team’s ex-player, who was the hero of Nigeria’s 2013 Nations Cup winning side.* “I just heard this morning. I won’t say it’s unfortunate because Stephen Keshi has said before now that he knows by heart the squad he will take to Brazil. So maybe before now he had already made up his mind that both Ejike and Mba will not make the team,” Chime told KickOffNigeria.com on Tuesday morning.* He, however, cited the inclusion of Uche Nwofor and Michael Uchebo as a moral victory for the club, who had always produced players for the various national teams over the years.* “But it’s ok since Uchebo and Nwofor have made the team. Both of them are ex-Rangers players, and they went to Europe from here,” he added.* Chime insisted that he would have preferred if both Uzoenyi and Mba in the team as they would have added a creative flair to the team, which is seemingly lacking in the current selection.* He, however, stated that Keshi “knows how to succeed” and must have chosen a squad that fits his plans.* “The Chief Coach knows what he wants, and he knows how to succeed. So if he feels this is the squad that will give us success, then it’s ok. He’s the coach, he’s in charge.”