ONAZI BLAMED FOR AFCON FAILURE

Lazio midfielder Ogenyi Onazi has been
faulted as part of the reason Nigeria failed
to qualify for next year’s Africa Cup of
Nations in Equatorial Guinea.
A Super Eagles player told SL10. on the condition of
anonymity, that the Lazio man ignored instructions to shield
the defence in search of personal glory.
“A lot have been said about why we failed to qualify, but
most are far from the truth. For instance why was it that
we struggle less when Hope Akpan plays in front of the
defence?” said the source.
“It's ironic that Mikel Obi best games of the qualifiers were
games that Akpan played in as he sits and allow Obi roam
upfront without leaving any space behind unlike Onazi.
“Nigerians should also ask him why he missed training the
eve of the game and tried to lie. What family issue kept
him out?”
The player pointed out that Onazi ignored the coach’s
instruction as he felt slighted that Mikel took all the glory
after the Nigeria Afcon 2013 triumph.
“His relationship with Mikel is zero, Keshi noticed it
during preparations for the World cup, he now wants to
score goals as opposed to his primary role,” added the
anonymous player.
“He felt Mikel got a lot of plaudits while he was ignored
despite playing a role in his success at the Afcpn 2013, he
cost us the game against South Africa.”
Both players had a public fallout in front of the camera on
the pitch in the Eagles 2-0 away win against Congo in
Pointe Noire, a situation our source said snowballed into
the South Africa game.
“Mikel is a senior player in the team and highly experienced
and for Onazi to openly challenge him shows you how bad
it is between them,” continued the source.
“Onazi is playing under instructions to cover for Obi who
is short of pace on the counter, but look at both South
Africa goals, where was he?
“These days he plays for himself more than the team, you
can see how he hits shots waywardly even when a pass is a
better option, he has to grow up.”