The real story behind the decision of Samuel Kalu to withdraw from the Super Eagles squad for the final rounds of World Cup qualifiers games has been made known to OwnGoalNigeria.com.
Coach of the Nigerian team Gernot Rohr confirmed that the Bordeaux winger requested to be excused from the team for the games against Liberia and Cape Verde respectively.
According to Rohr he wants to focus on his club form which has nosedived recently as he is no longer a starter in the team. “I spoke with him and he asked not to be selected,” Rohr told French Radio Station France Bleu Gironde.
“He made a very good argument about wanting to concentrate on the club – he told me that the time had come for him to give his all, to fight to regain his place in the Girondins squad. I found his speech to be very positive.”
A source close to the player insist that wasn’t the reason why Kalu opt out of the squad as he is unhappy that he is now playing second fiddle to CSKA Moscow winger Chidera Ejuke.
” He is hurt that he didn’t get to play away to Central Africa Republic. Against Liberia he only got few minutes. It’s not helping him focus on his club. He most times arrive late at his base and for someone keen to reclaim his spot in the team, it’s better to be around the team”, he told OwnGoalNigeria.com.
” It’s clear that Rohr prefers Ejuke now but that’s not an issue. Kalu wants to play and show his stuff which isn’t possible with Nigeria now. We will see in the coming days”, he concluded.