Pascal defends Keshi over Reuben, Omeruo

Super Eagles Coach, Stephen Keshi

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Ex-international Patrick Pascal  has defended Super Eagles coach  Stephen Keshi’s decision to invite Gabriel Reuben and Kenneth Omeruo for the  return leg 2014 World Cup playoff against Ethiopia in Calabar on November 16 and the friendly clash against Italy in London two days later.

Keshi on Sunday named the duo in his 25-man squad for the two encounters and the former Nigeria captain has got a lot of stick from some sections of  the media for the decision.

Midfielder Reuben has yet to play for Scottish club Kilmarnock since he joined them  from Kano Pillars in the summer due  to a long-term injury. The 23-year-old was part of  the squad that won the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations in South Africa in February, but the  injury denied him a chance to showcase his talents at the tournament.

Defender Omeruo, who was injured  at the FIFA Confederations Cup in Brazil in June, has neither  played in a competitive game for Chelsea since he returned to Stamford Bridge from his loan spell at  Dutch club Heerenveen in the summer nor for Nigeria.

But former Eagles defender Pascal insists Keshi acted correctly by including them  in his plans.

“I want to believe that Keshi decided to invite them because we have an 80 per cent chance to qualify for the World Cup,” the ex-Shooting Stars player told our correspondent on the telephone during the week.

“Some people are condemning Reuben’s invitation because we have many good midfielders but they must realise that he’s a quality player.

“It’s unfortunate that he has yet to feature for his new club  due to injury. It’s not his fault.

“We should remember that he was commanding a  regular starting role in the team before he got injured.

“As a domestic league player, he  was benching foreign-based players during the Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.

“Keshi would have started him at the Africa Cup of Nations if he wasn’t injured.

“I think Keshi believes in Reuben  and probably has him in his World Cup plans. I think it’s the same with Omeruo.