Osaze Odemwingie took to twitter on Sunday to vent his frustration at being left out of Nigeria's Nations Cup squad, and all but called time on his international career.
"Keshi has no footballing reasons not to invite me but is not saying the truth. He is still in my plans he said haha coach u no dey my plans," Osaze ripped.
The forward then went on to rehash his history of past grievances with the national team, starting with Amodu Shuaibu in 2008 "After Afcon in Ghana Eagles fans were satisfied with our performance and Siasia after the tournament said I will take you to the Olympics.
"They sacked Berti Vogts after it though and just a month after that coach Amodu took over! In his first game in charge I didn't even warm up.
"I had to holla at him and Amokachi his assistant and next games I played and man of the match in half games of the team that year.
"The only reason me and Siasia fell out was over kits that were not enough cos they were on sale as the Olympics were on going. Shame!
"Nigerian fans voted me Nigerian player of the year during world cup qualifiers & I was a spectator in the World Cup and I should be quiet?"
Coaches were not alone in Odemwingie's line of fire. The NFF also got a healthy dose, with the player accusing the federation of not giving senior players respect with proper send-offs.
"We talk through press hahaha how come I am the only stubborn one but no ex Eagles player was sent off from the team with respect?"
And the Super Eagles captains were not left out, as Odemwingie claims the team lacked leadership for years "This might sound disrespectful but Eagles had no good captain for many years. Everyone looking only after himself," he tweeted.
In justifying his Sunday morning tirade, Odemwingie explained that he cared about the team. "The story is getting long and I don tire. I cared a lot about the team and wasn't passive.
"The only reason I write this is for the fans to know my reasons and position on a few things and don't think I don't care or too proud."
He rounded off by tweeting what appeared to be his farewell to the national team. "That's it on this. Story ended. No more talks about national team again. I’ve said all I wanted. If will be tempted will go off twitter."
It is not the first time the outspoken player will take to the micro blogging site to have a go at his national coach.
In 2011, he fired a broadside at then coach Samson Siasia, to begin a spat which took months to resolve.
Defender Danny Shittu has been recalled to the Nigeria squad ahead of next month's African Nations Cup.
Also out is left back Taye Taiwo, who has also been overlooked since a Nations Cup qualifier against Rwanda.
Shittu has not been involved with the Super Eagles since Samson Siasia's last game in charge, a friendly against Ghana in which he was called up as a back-up.
But with recent defensive frailties, Stephen Keshi has called up the 32-year-old to bolster his defensive options.
However, with a surfeit of attacking riches, Keshi appears to have decided against the outspoken Odemwingie.
The squad is composed of 14 domestic league professionals and 18 from the foreign legion.
The squad will be led by skipper Joseph Yobo, who has appeared five previous tournaments from 220 to 2010 and is Nigeria's record international player with 89 caps.
All 16 participating countries have until midnight of January 9 to submit their final list of 23 players to CAF.
NFF executive committee member Barrister Chris Green explained that 14 home boys will travel to Portugal to be joined by 10 overseas-based professionals for the clash with Catalonia on January 2, with the remaining eight foreign-based stars to link up with the squad on January 4.
THE FULL LIST OF PLAYERS:
Goalkeepers: Vincent Enyeama (Maccabi Tel Aviv, Israel on loan from Lille, France); Austin Ejide (Hapoel Be’er Sheba, Israel); Chigozie Agbim (Enugu Rangers, Nigeria); Daniel Akpeyi (Heartland FC, Nigeria)
Defenders: Elderson Echiejile (FC Braga, Portugal); Juwon Oshaniwa (Ashdod FC, Israel); Benjamin Francis (Heartland FC, Nigeria); Joseph Yobo (Fenerbahce, Turkey); Efe Ambrose (Celtic FC, Scotland); Solomon Kwambe (Sunshine Stars, Nigeria); Azubuike Egwuekwe (Warri Wolves, Nigeria); Danny Shittu (Millwall FC, England); Kenneth Omeruo (ADO Den Haag, Netherlands); Godfrey Oboabona (Sunshine Stars, Nigeria)
Midfielders: Mikel Obi (Chelsea FC, England); Nosa Igiebor (Real Betis, Spain); Ogenyi Onazi (SS Lazio, Italy); Raheem Lawal (Adana Demirspor, Turkey); Obiora Nwankwo (Calcio Padova, Italy); Fegor Ogude (Valerenga FC, Norway); Reuben Gabriel (Kano Pillars, Nigeria); Rabiu Ibrahim (Celtic FC, Scotland)
Forwards: Ahmed Musa (CSKA Moscow, Russia); Emmanuel Emenike (Spartak Moscow, Russia); Brown Ideye (Dynamo Kyiv, Ukraine); Victor Moses (Chelsea FC, England); Uche Kalu (Rizespor, Turkey); Bright Dike (Portland Timbers, USA); Shola Ameobi (Newcastle FC, England); Ikechukwu Uche (Villarreal FC, Spain); Ejike Uzoenyi (Enugu Rangers, Nigeria); Sunday Mba (Enugu Rangers, Nigeria).
Nigeria coach Stephen Keshi named his provisional African Nations Cup squad on Friday, with Osaze Odewmingie, Obafemi Martins and Taye Taiwo the big omissions.
Expectedly, there were strong opinions on the announcement. Twitter had some of the best.
Here is a selction picked by Colin Udoh:
@OkwuobasiOnuoha: Danny Shittu back? What about Taribo?
Etete @charlyjeje2712: Osaze out? Jeez!!!
@ntabjay: oh Well!!!!Is dis based on form or wat,cos lately Peter has bin doing so well & who d heck is Shittu,dnt even knw d dude...smh
Millwall fan @cabbypetemfc: hopefully they'll be out in the 1st round
HayKay @gr8akin: Osaze begged Keshi, yet he's been chopped off d list, did he think he's a god? Indigenous coaches and their arrogances sha
Babatunde Adebajo @tundye Shocker! RT @ColinUdoh: Odemwingie out, but Danny Shittu back in as Nigeria name 32 in provisional #ANC2013 squad
Pete Chenzo @cabbypetemfc does any1 else want @danshittu to come home from African nations cup ASAP like me
Kinxlee @Kingshizley: Let's sack keshi b4 its 2 late and cause us anoda embarrassment y drop our best players @OdemwingieP and martins
paul lpizzy ayorinde @lpizzyd: Shittu inclusion was spot on cos the defence is terrible,we need him for his xperience..
Babatunde Adebajo @tundye: Its sad if we have to look to Danny Shittu at 32 to solve our defensive woes#afcon2013
@AbeebOla: I swear, if shittu makes the final 23-man Afcon squad, I'll make sure he takes me to his juju man.
Olatubosun Damilare @Dammyy: @OdemwingieP,most patriotic super Eagles player was not included in the 32 man list. Ameobi who loves Eng more got in .#unfair
Shola Ameobi has boosted his chance of making Stephen Keshi's final Nations Cup squad after scoring to help Newcastle edge past Queens Park Rangers in the English Premier League on Saturday.
The goal was Ameobi's third for the season, with the other two goals coming in the Europa League against Bordeaux and Club Brugge respectively.
Ameobi impressed in his international debut against Venezuela in Miami, where he came off the bench to create a goal for Ogenyi Onazi and has subsequently been named in coach Stephen keshi's provisional Nation's Cup squad.
Keshi recently extolled the dedication and maturity of the Newcastle man saying:
"Ameobi came into the fold as if he has been in the national team for the past ten years,”
“He's got a lot of experience. His communication level has been outstanding. In the Venezuela match he was motivating the other players even when he was on the bench. Ameobi is awesome,” Keshi said.
Celtic defender Efe Ambrose will join the late arrivals from the EPL at the Faro training camp on January 5.
Officials have already disclosed that English Premier League trio of Mikel Obi, Victor Moses and Shola Ameobi will be the last players to join the Eagles squad in Portugal on January 5.
"I cannot confirm right now on when I would hit camp because we have a game on January 2 after which I will discuss with the club,” he said.
"But I think at the latest I should already be in camp by January 5."
The central defender said he believes all the players on the 32-man squad deserve their call-ups.
"Everybody on the list deserves to be there, that is why the coach invited them. I am happy I am on the list, but the most important thing is that we know what Nigerians want and we are ready to give a 120 per cent," he said.
"As for those not on the list, I would like to say anything about that but the coach would have his reasons and like you know, the coach has the final say."
Former Nigeria World Cup star Tijjani Babangida has stated the country will miss the goals and experience of Obafemi Martins at the AFCON.
Martins, Osaze Odemwingie and Taye Taiwo were the notable names not on the Eagles preliminary 32-man squad for a training camp in Portugal ahead of next month’s Nations Cup.
The Atlanta 1996 Olympic gold medallist said that even though Stephen Keshi is in charge of the team and has the final say on his team, he still believes Levante striker Martins should have been considered for the Nations Cup.
"Obafemi Martins should have been included in the team because he has been scoring goals in Spain almost every weekend,” Babangida argued.
“Though Keshi should be allowed to pick his team, Martins’ experience and goals would have helped the team in South Africa.
“At the 1998 World Cup in France, the late Rashidi Yekini was included in the team because of his wealth of experience if things didn't go well with Victor(Ikpeba) and the others.”
Babangida also made a case for the inclusion of Sivasspor of Turkey striker Michael Eneramo on the provisional squad.
“I was equally surprised Eneramo was not considered at all since Keshi took over despite his exploits in Turkey,” he told Journalist.
Sensational Ezekiel strikes again
Imoh Ezekiel smashed his 11th goal of the season as his Belgian club Standard Liege fell 3-1 at home to Club Brugge.
The 19-year-old striker put his team ahead in the very first minute, but the goal could not help Standard Liege from going down to the visitors.
Nigerian youngster Ezekiel has been in sensational form in his debut season in Europe and only recently extended his contract.
Standard Liege are now fifth on the table with 35 points from 21 games
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