Super Eagles legend, Daniel Amokachi has denied claims that he was the reason Raheem Lawal missed 2013 African Cup of Nations.
Lawal alleged that the former Everton and Besiktas forward denied him a place in Nigeria’s 2013 Afcon winning team, in order to favor some players who are very closed too him.
Amokachi, was one of assistants coaches at the time, and explained in interview with brila.net that he wasn’t involved in the selection of players to the championship.
“It wasn’t my decision to make the final say, so that allegation is 100 percent wrong. I just wish Journalists can do their jobs and call coach Valere (Houdonou), Ike Shorunmu and Sylvanus Okpala; those were the three Coaches in the team with myself and our Boss, may his soul rest in peace, to get more information about the player. Quality-wise he had it. ” he told brila.net
Amokachi later admitted that, Raheem Lawal has enough qualities to play for the Eagles, but he was let down by his injury and poor disciplinary history.
“On any other day, if he is in the right state of mind, I would love to have him in my team. Unfortunately at that point in time, he was struggling with injury that’s why he played in less than five games for his club that year and he comes to camp late.”
“Let’s just put it down to indiscipline and the period wasn’t right forhim. If we went to the AFCON and came back without the gold, then people can point fingers and say stuff. But we went out there with young players and players from home and they delivered what we went there for. They brought glory to Nigeria and themselves.” He concluded.
Raheem Lawal made his international debut for Nigeria in 2012, but he has played for the three time African champions in 2013, after four caps.
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