Osaze Odemwingie feels he has arrived.Afterall he scored a whopping 15 goals in this season's English Premier League for title-chasing and Champions' league team,a team greater than Samuel Eto'o's Inter Milan,stronger than Didier Drogba's Chelsea and richer than Emmanuel Adebayor's Real Madrid,isn't it?No wonder these modest African players,yet to achieve what Osaze has,are humble and honour their national team calls.
I don't know why I don't like Osaze.Is it that I'm jealous he's a rich footballer,and I'm not?Or that he's better looking than me(that's open to debate)?Whatever it is,I just don't like him.Does that mean I felt happy he was dropped by the national team coach,Samson Siasia?Yes and no. Yes,because the man I dislike is getting knocked.No,because it is further evidence our players are over-rated,not-so-fantastic footballers.Cameroon,Ghana and Ivory Coast legends play in top top leagues.Even Mali,Togo and South Africa can boast of having established players in established clubs.Nigeria?Their 'best' player plies his trade at a very poor West Brom.Others are either languishing on the bench at Chelsea,playing at hot Fenerbahce,suffering in the sidelines at Birmingham or defending at Kuwait! So why would they feel big?
Osaze left camp during a friendly with Kenya.Hear Siasia,
"He broke camp rule by leaving without seeking permission during our last match.Until he comes back to explain why he did that,the national team doors are not open to him.It was an act of indiscipline..."
Siasia was spot on.Until these average players shun unnecessary pride and do the right thing,Siasia's statement should be repeated to them.Even to 15-goal 'lord' Osaze.Since Drogba,Adebayor,Eto'o and Kanoute have never achieved such feat,who is Osaze if he fails to show his pride?