Former assistant coach of the Super Eagles Ike Shorunmu has hit back at Chinedu Obasi after the ex Schalke 04 player claimed he was asked to pay bribe before he will be included in the squad of the Super Eagles of Nigeria for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.
Shorunmu was a part of the technical crew then alongside late Stephen Keshi who was the head coach while the duo of Daniel Amokachi and Valerie Houdonou were first and second assistants respectively at the tournament where Nigeria were knocked out of the round of 16.
Reacting to claims made by Obasi in an interview with Brila FM, Shorunmu said the AIK striker didn’t complain when he was controversially included in the squad for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa at the expense of a player.
The player in question is former Esperance of Tunisia forward Michael Eneramo who was heavily involved in the qualifiers for the tournament and even excelled during the friendly games the team played in preparation for the World Cup.
“Everyone has their own perspectives, a lot of things will happen when you are coaching at the highest level and for sure there was pressure from all angle”.
“However a player was dropped for Obasi in 2010 World Cup, he did not have any problem with that, now that he was dropped in 2014, he started talking.”
“Some players only think for themselves and not for others, in 2014 Obasi was injured and was just coming back from the serious injury. If he has evidence that they demanded money from him, he should come forward and present it.”
“But why can’t he while Keshi is still alive, so they can face each other.” He said.