Eagles Need APAM, KALU - KUJAH

Despite the Super Eagles stunning 6-1 victory against Liberia last weekend, a school of thought still believes the national team’s defence line remains suspect, and a call has now gone for the inclusion of Stade Rennes of France defender, Apam Onyekachi in the squad for the Africa Cup of Nations.

Making a case for the Holland 2005 FIFA U-20 World Cup and Beijing 2008 Olympics revelation in a chat with SportsDay, renowned FIFA licensed agent, Friday Nwankwo-Kujah noted that the ability of the Lone Star to knick in one goal last Saturday in Calabar underlines the fact that something is still missing in the Eagles’ back-four.

Apam became one of the biggest rising stars in the heart of Nigeria’s defence after the Olympics in China, but his spirited efforts at the 2010 Africa Cup of Nations in Angola ended with an injury, which eventually delayed the start of his career at Rennes, following his transfer from OGC Nice.

Despite another long spell of injury at Rennes, the former Rangers International of Enugu stopper has since regained full fitness and Kaujah is now making a case for the lad’s inclusion in Stephen Keshi’s AFCON 2013 programme.

''We still need the services of Apam in the Eagles’ defence,” said an elated ‘Soccer Ambassador,’ who personally threw a champagne celebration Saturday night in Calabar to mark the Eagles victory.

''I was overwhelmed and very happy with Saturday’s victory, which made me offer my imported champagne products for a celebration after the match.

''In fact, I gave a big bottle of champagne to the players to start the celebration right on the field immediately the referee ended the match. I was happy and I am sure the Eagles also made over 150,000 million Nigerians happy as well.''

While revealing that some ex-internationals – including Victor Ikpeba, Austin Okocha and Franklyn Howard – his Saturday night celebration of the Eagles;’ victory, Kujah took a look into the immediate future and suggested that Keshi should give fresh opportunities to more foreign-based players in the team.

“I am not saying that the home-based players are bad, but we all saw the kind of result we got with 90% off the team that played against Liberia on Saturday coming from Europe.

“I will like a situation in which the camp is thrown open for more players to show their ability and, if it is one family that will give us victory, let it be so; which is why I will like to see Ikechukwu’s brother, Kalu Uche come back in midfield, Apam in defence and the former Enyimba striker, Uche Kalu in attack,” Nwankwo-Kujah submitted.