Siasia snubs Kanu, Mikel Obi in Nigeria’s Best XI
… listed Amuneke, Finidi, Oliseh, Okocha
Former Super Eagles coach Samson Siasia has reportedly included many of his former international teammates in his selection of Nigeria’s all-time best eleven.
In a chat with Edafe Matthew, Siasia picked Nigeria’s most capped goalkeeper, Vincent Enyeama, who won the Africa Cup of Nations in 2013, in goal ahead of 1994 AFCON hero Peter Rufai.
Ben Iroha gets the nod at left-back, while Augustine Eguavoen is Siasia’s favourite at right-back.
While the Super Eagles boast a long list of excellent centre-backs in history, including Joseph Yobo and Stephen Keshi, Siasia, however, prefers former AC Milan Taribo West and Uche Okechukwu at the heart of the defence.
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Siasia went for a midfield trio of Mutiu Adepoju, Sunday Oliseh, and Austin Okocha, insisting he intentionally left out Chelsea icon John Obi Mikel.
Super Eagles coaching hopefuls Emmanuel Amuneke and George Finidi are Siasia’s preferred options on the left flank and right-wing, respectively.
Nigeria’s greatest goalscorer of all time and 1994 AFCON winner, Rashidi Yekini, takes the single centre-forward position in Siasia’s favourite 4-3-3 formation. There is no room for Arsenal great Nwankwo Kanu and former Portsmouth ace Yakubu Aiyegbeni.
Siasia has never hidden his affection for ex-international Chinedu Obasi Ogbuke, naming the former Schake 04 striker the most gifted player he ever coached.