I invited Ike Uche, but he rebuffed me–Keshi

Super Eagles coach, Stephen Keshi, has explained why villareal of Italy forward Ike is once again missing in the current team of Eagles, after he was controversially excluded from Nigeria’s World Cup team.
Keashi said that Uche’s name was originally on the list of players invited for the September 6, AFCON qualifier against DR Congo, but had to be substituted when he rebuffed invitation on the premise that he needed to be begged before he could accept the invitation.
Uche, clearly Nigeria’s best striker for now, was excluded by Keshi from the team that went to 2014 World Cup in Brazil citing attitude problems.
Despite pressure from Nigeria’s football lovers including ex-players, Keshi stuck to his gun. Incidentally, striking department was one of the weak links in the team that was dumped out of the World Cup by France.
Nigeria outplayed France but lacked the finishing power to send the former World Cup winner home.
Keshi, who spoke to journalists in Calabar where the Eagles are camping ahead of September 6 clash said, “Well, his name was originally on the list. But he said he needed somebody to plead with him before he can come and play for his country. And I have told him I cannot do that. I therefore had to replace him with somebody else.”
The gaffer said that while much progress has been made in the team, it is still a work-i-progress.
According to him, “ Rebuilding is a process that can take some months and years. This is because you will keep adding and subtracting. There will be the usual checks and balances. When we came on board there was nothing on ground.
“This is why we are still in that process of building, especially with a crop of new players. For us to have been at the last Nations Cup and the World Cup was pure miracle from God. People might counter and say what is he talking about but I know what I am talking about.”
On the crtiticsms that have trailed the team he took to the World Cup, Keshi has this to say: Nigerians believe too” much in big names. We think it is the big names that will do the job for us. Nigerians should learn to be patient. The younger ones too need to grow and be confident. The so-called big names came from somewhere. Somebody gave them opportunities. Maybe Nigerians want all their players to fall from heaven.”