Former England International, John Fashanu, in this interview with  IZUCHUKWU OKOSI, believes  that the recall of Yakubu Aiyegbeni will be of great help to the Super Eagles


What is your assessment of the Super Eagles’ list of foreign-based players for the 2013 African Nations Cup qualifier against Rwanda?

I’m impressed by Stephen Keshi’s bravery. He has shown that he is not intimidated by anybody. I’ve been in the country now for six years and know that people would like to intimidate one to submission on certain decisions, but Keshi has acquitted himself well and this shows that he alongside Siasia were the best for the Super Eagles job.

Opinions are divided over the recall of Yakubu Aiyegbeni and Sani Kaita to the Eagles. Do you think they are really needed in the rebuilding process of the team?

Stephen Keshi has shown that he has plans for the young players who are doing great, but he also knows that he needs experience in the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.You cannot fault the invitation of Yakubu. I’ve played in the English Premier League before for over 20 years and played about 2,000 matches. And for a player like Yakubu to have such an impressive goal record in England, that means the guy is extremely good. I’m not talking about playing in the Champions League, playing against AC Milan or Barcelona. The EPL is a very tough league and it is extremely difficult.

Unfortunately, people are hard to be impressed but you cannot throw away experience just like that.

The Eagles need the experience of Yakubu for the 2013 Nations  Cup qualifiers. Well, Kaita could lack discipline but you cannot doubt his quality as a player. The team need players like Yakubu, Kalu Uche, Enyeama,Yobo. Money can’t buy talent and experience.

John Utaka who scored a league goal on Sunday night was being mentioned also for a possible recall to the team but despite playing regularly for Montpellier, he was not handed an invitation. How does that affect the psyche of a player?

Psychologically, it could be damaging but the John I know is a real professional. He will take it on his stride and work harder. There are many more matches to be played and I’m sure he will get his chance.
It is very damaging being left in the wilderness of international football but you have to be calm, that is life. John is a tough character. After three matches for England, I was never invited for England and I was a sad player, but I  knew the end of a road could be the beginning of another better one.

The Super Eagles last week suffered their worst slide in the FIFA ranking. What was your  immediate reaction when the ranking was released?

When I saw the ranking, I just told myself that Keshi has a big job on his hands now. We are not suffering a slide in just football but in other sports and perhaps all spheres of endeavours.
Boxing,Tennis and other spoprts are not improving either. We have to look for ways out, people like Keshi are needed to fix this kind of setbacks.

The home-based players defeated Liberia 2-0 in a friendly game in Monrovia last week and are expected to fill nine spots for the February 29 game against Rwanda. Are there specific positions where you think the team  need these home-based lads most?

We don’t have to focus on specific roles now, we cannot do that yet. Let the players become part of the team first and let’s see where they can perform best. The Nations Cup is not the biggest football competition. The World Cup is the ultimate. But hopefully, they’ll break through.

The 2012 Nations Cup has come to a fitting end and Zambia are African champions. What lessons do you think Nigeria will draw from the just ended AFCON?

The lesson is that we don’t have to take things for granted.The team took several things for granted during the qualifiers like preparations,motivation,discipline and so on.

And since the coach is rebuilding, do you support the introduction of so many home-based players to the team?

If the players are good enough, why not?. They may even be better than the foreign-based players. But my major concern is about blending. We have to have a mixture of the foreign-based and local players who understand themselves very well. We must not be carried away by few friendlies they played.
Europe is where the best football is played in the world and we still need our stars in Europe but we have to accommodate those playing at home who can help the team as well.

Are there teams from the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations Cup you would not want the Eagles to face in the next round of qualifiers of the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers should they overcome the Rwanda hurdle?

Well, I won’t say I’m scared of any team but  other countries would want to avoid Cote d’ Ivoire, Ghana, and perhaps Zambia for now.

Thank you for your time

You ‘re welcome.