OSAZE'S 'MADNESS' ACCEPTABLE IN FOOTBALL - AMOKACHI

 Osaze Odemwingie
A former striker of the Super Eagles Dan Amokachi has appealed to Nigerians to warmly receive Osaze Odemwingie back to the team, saying his outburst against Samson Siasia which led to his suspension from the Eagles team was usual in football.

He spoke ahead of Odemwingie's return to the team with the friendly match against Ghana in London on August 9.

He said, 'You must be crazy to be a very good footballer. That craziness is all about football. Osaze's madness should not be seen as something out of the ordinary because it goes with many star players in every team all over the world whether at club or national level.

'For me if your star player misbehaves it is for the coach to find a way of managing that particular situation and the player overall. It's always going to happen. A player that does unusual things with football on the pitch can also react in a way that is very unusual to many people.'

And taking a close look at the upcoming match between Nigeria and Ghana, the former Everton attacker advised Siasia to use his best players for the match.

'There are games you can experiment with and test new players but this particular one is not the type to toy with. The rivalry between both countries is so much such that a win is always a big psychological boost.

'It is very important for Nigeria to win that game whether it is called a friendly match or not. The players need that win for the challenges ahead. The Ghanaians don't look it as just a game and that is the way we should look at it.'

He said the Ghanaians now look more of a threat than the Nigerian team because of the attitude of their players.

'Their players have stronger national team loyalty than what we have. But notwithstanding, for me the match in London will be won by Nigeria. That is what I see,' he added.