Victor Anichebe has stated that he is not ready to represent Nigeria anytime soon, as he believes he “owes it to the club to manage myself correctly.
Super Eagles coach Stephen Keshi, disclosed last month that the Everton striker, has refused to pick his calls and the 25-year-old has now explained the reasons for his actions.
“I owe it to the club to manage myself correctly. I have always been proud to represent my country,” Anichebe told the BBC.
“It is becoming more and more evident that with the injuries I have had over the last two years or so, I have to manage my body accordingly. That’s why I feel the best thing for me at the moment is to concentrate on club football.”
Part of Anichebe’s grudge, is that the Nigeria Football Federation, did not show enough concern when he got injured playing for the national team in 2011.
“Without club football there is no international football and everyone at Everton was with me every step of the way during my injuries and rehabilitation,” he noted.
“I didn’t feel that the Nigerian Football Federation was there for me the in the same manner, which was especially disappointing given that I got the injury representing my country.
“But I don’t blame anyone for this nor do I have any issues with anybody from the NFF or Stephen Keshi our coach. He has done a fantastic job and is building a team that Nigerians can be proud of.
“The time is just not right for me to resume my international career as of yet but I would certainly love to represent my country in the not-too-distant future.”
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