Former Nigeria captain and first choice goalkeeper, Peter Rufai has advised players who could not make Coach Stephen Keshi’s cut for the 23-man World Cup squad not to see it as a set back in their careers.
Speaking in a chat with Sports Vanguard in Lagos yesterday, Rufai said, “those who could not make the final squad should be proud that they were among those who aided Keshi to select his best. Among millions of
Nigerians, they were privileged to have been in the training camp and participated in the process of giving the country its squad for the 2014 World Cup.
“They should be proud of their achievement and learn from there how to relaunch themselves into the heart of the team. They must draw all the positives and see to it that they make it when next the opportunity comes knocking.”
He said as the man who calls the shots, Keshi must have had sleepless nights before arriving at the final list. “He must have had a tough time evaluating players’ performances and aligning that with the expectations of the technical crew. A player’s character and attitude count in this case.”
Recalling his personal experience in the national team, Rufai said he was not too disappointed when he was left out of Senegal ’92 Africa Cup of Nations. “I was doing my Masters and combining that with football.
When the Senegal ’92 squad was named and I was not included, I went to do my final exams. If I had been selected, I would have sacrificed my studies to serve my country.”
Rufai said those who made the list carry a burden, which is to perform well at the Mundial. He said, “as players, what they are preoccupied with is how to justify their inclusion in the squad. I used to thank God first for making it possible that I was given a chance and pray that the Almighty give me the strength to do well.”
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