The soviet-born Nigerian footballer Peter Odemwingie was reportedly not available for Nigerian national soccer team, as blamed by Nigerian coach Stephen Keshi. But his allegations have now been ruled out by the striker himself; he says he still wants to play for his nation if he gets the call. The West Bromwich Albion striker was upset over recent comments of Keshi who said that he turned his back to his nation; perhaps, he felt much disappointment to see how he is being labeled as a rebel by his own country’s soccer coach. In a recent interview to an online portal he said, “I did not say I won’t play for the national team. I am 31 now, it will be hard to play every game, but I had an open and honest discussion with the coach and I will be available when they call me. If the coach decides to call me, I am still available to play for my country. When I decide I want to stop playing I will come out and say so myself.”
Earlier, as told, Keshi had blamed him of showing his retaliation by marking his non availability coz he was not chosen for 2010 world cup finals. Even Keshi gave an interview to an online sports portal and said, “I spoke to before the Liberia game and he told me that he had decided not to play for Nigeria anymore. He told me that he has no problems with me as a person and that he took his decision even before I assumed position as national team coach. He said he was unhappy at how he was treated in the past in the national team. He explained that prior to Nigeria’s participation at the 2010 Fifa World Cup, he played in all the qualifying games but was dropped at the finals.”
However, Odemwingie also admitted that he has had some problems over the way Nigerian football is being managed by some handful of dominant officials. Especially, he expressed his distress when he was cursed for missing a friendly game despite his injury. According to him, it was the greatest frustration for a player who has served his country for more than ten years and has as many as 54 international caps to his name. Anyways, for now, he has put-on a dot on all the rumors about him and his loyalty towards his nation.