Imoh Ezekiel Left Out of Nigeria’s World Cup Squad Despite Strong Season
Stephen Keshi, the head coach of Nigeria’s national football team, has finalized his first list of 30 players for the 2014 World Cup, with a few surprises. While Stoke City’s Peter Odemwingie makes his return to the Super Eagles, there is one notable omission: Imoh Ezekiel, the Standard Liège striker who has had an impressive season in Belgium.
Ezekiel, who had previously failed to secure Belgian citizenship, seemed like a strong contender for the World Cup squad after he was called up for a friendly against Mexico in March. Despite being in good form, contributing 11 goals and 9 assists in the current Jupiler Pro League season, the 20-year-old was excluded from Keshi’s final squad.
For Ezekiel, the snub must be particularly disheartening, especially given his performances for Standard Liège. However, the competition for places in the attacking positions for Nigeria has been fierce, with players like Odemwingie, Victor Moses, and Emmanuel Emenike all vying for spots. Despite his standout individual statistics, Ezekiel has struggled to maintain a regular starting place at Standard in recent weeks, which may have worked against him in Keshi’s decision-making process.
This decision is a difficult blow for Ezekiel, who had high hopes of representing his country at the World Cup. After initially failing to gain Belgian citizenship, he accepted the call-up to the Nigerian squad, hoping to prove his worth on the international stage. However, with only a month left before the tournament in Brazil, Ezekiel will now have to focus on his future with Standard and his potential for future call-ups to the national team.
While Odemwingie’s return to the squad is a major boost for Nigeria, the exclusion of Ezekiel highlights the tough decisions Keshi had to make in finalizing his roster. With numerous players competing for places in the squad, Keshi’s World Cup selection will have been shaped by a combination of current form, tactical needs, and individual performances throughout the season.
As the countdown to the 2014 World Cup continues, the absence of Imoh Ezekiel from Nigeria’s final 30-man squad will surely be one of the more discussed talking points, particularly given his strong season in Belgium. However, Keshi will be hoping that the players he has chosen can deliver Nigeria’s best-ever World Cup performance when the tournament kicks off in June.
