Ikechukwu Uche in shock over World Cup exclusion

Super Eagles striker, Ikechukwu Uche, dropped from the World Cup bound team is said to be in shock over coach Lars Lagerback decision to leave him out team.

We learnt that the striker was stunned on Monday, when the coach informed him alongside six others that he would not be part of the team for the Mundial.

it was learnt that Ikechukwu, covered his mouth with his hand in shock when the coach informed him that he won't be part of the team to the World Cup.

The player was said to have looked on despair, as his dream of making his first appearance at FIFA's biggest football tournament turned into shred at the last minute.

However, his elder brother, Kalu Uche, alongside some senior players like Nwankwo Kanu, Joseph Yobo, Danny Shittu and Osaze Odemwingie, had to play the big brother roles by consoling the former Getafe striker.

"It was an emotional moment for him because he played a big role in making sure that Nigeria qualified for the World Cup until he got that injury that kept him out for about five months. He (Ike Uche) was in shock after the announcement. His brother (Kalu) had to console him while other players like Kanu, Shittu, Yobo and Osaze pacify him. It was a really emotional and painful moment for him because he had hoped to be part of the World Cup team," said a camp official.

But it was not only Ikechukwu Uche, who was shocked by his exclusion, as some officials of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and other Super Eagles' team-mates also had an expression of astonishment on their faces.

Even other players dropped from the squad could not hide their shock over the exclusion of the younger Uche brother from the Nigerian team to South Africa.

Chairman of the NFF Technical Committee, Taiwo Ogunjobi, said Lagerback has convinced the federation's board and his committee on reasons for leaving out Ikechukwu Uche, Victor Anichebe, Onyekachi Apam, Peter Utaka, Brown Ideye, Terna Suswan and Bassey Akpan from the Mundial's final squad.

"Most of the players were left out for reasons of injuries and lack of fitness as well as inexperience," began Ogunjobi. "From what the coach gave us as explanation we are satisfied and believe that he has picked the best players to represent the country at the World Cup in South Africa."

Daily Independent

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