Why I dropped Osaze, Taiwo From 2013 AFCON In South Africa - Keshi

Poor attitude has cost top stars, Osaze Odemwingie and Taye Taiwo a chance to fight for places in the Eagles’ squad to 2013 AFCON in South Africa. MTNFootball.com learnt that Keshi defended his decision to drop Odemwingie and Taiwo by citing the players’ attitudes with particular reference to the Nations Cup qualifier in February in Rwanda.

West Brom star striker, Odemwingie, was pulled off the game because of his under performance, while Taiwo posted a stinker at the Eagles’ lackluster goalless draw in Kigali. Both players took exceptions to being hauled off the pitch and Odemwingie admitted this in a recent radio interview. "Osaze confronted Keshi and told him that it was an insult for him to be so substituted as a senior player," the MTN’s website reported. "We all know that Osaze has big mouth and his attitude under other national team coaches has not been exemplary.


He has stood up against former Eagles’ coaches like Austin Eguavoen, Lars Lagerback and Samson Siasia. "Taiwo, on his part, threw caution to the wind after a very poor game in Kigali with a tirade aimed at the coaches and the entire team." Keshi, it was learnt, has forgiven both players after they showed remorse leading up to the 2013 AFCON, but he has insisted that he would prefer to be in South Africa without them. ‘The Big Boss’ wants to be in full control of his dressing room at all times.

Ukraine-based Taiwo has begged for a second chance in his telephone conversion with Keshi and lately, he tried to put more pressure on the coach by taking his case to the people’s court via the media.