Ameobi and the Super Eagles.

Shola Ameobi warming up before the Venezuela friendly

When Keshi first handed Shola Ameobi a call-up to the national team, it was greeted with mixed feelings far and wide. A lot of people saw his invite as an addition of top class experience to the forward line of the Super Eagles while many others felt he is a spent force and had nothing to add to the Super Eagles' fold. Some other people also felt the player does not deserve a call up to the national team simply because he turned down overtures from Nigeria to play for the national team when he was a bit younger and stronger. 

Ameobi turned down an opportunity to endear himself to Nigerians when he turned down the chance to represent Nigeria at the 2013 AFCON because of a supposed clause in his Newcastle contracts. Thos who felt he isn't committed to the Nigeria cause would seem to have been vindicated when this happened but all these are history now and those who felt he's the kind of experience needed by Nigeria's Super Eagles would look at the Confederations cup and how the Super Eagles struggled to score goals despite creating numerous chances in all their games and they will feel recalling him was the right thing to do at this point in time. 

All these said however, Stephen Keshi obviously feel there's something about Ameobi that is needed by the Super Eagles thus the invitation extended to the player for this friendly against the Bafana Bafana to honour Nelson Mandela. Keshi spoke so highly of his contribution in the dressing room and how the player commands a lot of respect amongst the players plus he had a decent showing in the friendly against Venezuela. Keshi is looking for a man who can be his voice on the pitch and Ameobi looks to fit that bill well. He's got years of experience playing in the EPL alongside some of the best players and against some of the best defenders on the planet. He has a physical presence that no other player in the Eagles' fold have at the moment and his hold up play will come as an option for the team when the team struggle to break down opposing defence. 

I strongly feel  Ameobi should be judged by what he adds to the team over the sentiments of how we perceive his stance on playing for Nigeria before now. His performance in the match against South Africa later today should serve as his first test.