Uche’s return excites Adepoju

Former Nigeria midfielder Mutiu Adepoju has said the return of Villarreal forward Ikechukwu Uche to the Super Eagles will boost the team’s attack.

Nigeria coach Stephen Keshi on Friday named Uche, who has not played for the country for nearly two years, in his 25-man squad for the Morocco 2015 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying matches against Congo in and South Africa.

The Eagles, who are third in the Morocco 2015 Group A qualifying table on four points, face Congo, who beat Nigeria 3-2 in the first leg in Calabar on September 6, in the reverse fixture in Pointe Noire on November 15. The Eagles host South Africa in Uyo on November 19.

South Africa lead the group on eight points followed by Congo on seven points. Continue..

Adepoju, who spoke to our correspondent on the telephone on Sunday, said Keshi was right to invite Uche, adding that the player’s return would give his former Eagles’ teammate attacking options.

The former Eagles midfielder said, “The recall of Uche to the Eagles is a good development because he is a good player.

“His return will add depth to the team’s attack. He will also add value to that team and contribute immensely to the success of the team.”

Adepoju, who represented at the 1994 and 1998 World Cups, added, “I won’t say the team’s problem is only with the midfield or the attack, the team have been having problems since the first match of the qualifiers.

“It is difficult to say this department is faulty or this individual is not playing well. What is important is that the team need to function as a unit. When they function as a unit, there won’t be problems beating their opponents.”

The Eagles have scored five goals in the qualifiers and all have come in home matches, but Adepoju said the African champions would overcome their striking problems and win the remaining qualifiers to seal their place at Morocco 2015 Africa Cup of Nations.

“When every unit of a team functions at home and away they will score goals,” he said.

“What is important for them is to do the job required of them. The players need to play as a unit and the goals will come either they are at home or on an away ground.”