There seems to be light at the end of the tunnel in Coach Stephen Keshi's on-going efforts to lure Everton striker, Victor Anichebe back to the national team, following John Obi Mikel's successful first round of talks with the self exiled Nigerian.
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In an exclusive chat with the Big Boss earlier in the week, coach Stephen Keshi revealed that the Chelsea midfield general is already making headway with the difficult task of breaking truce between the player and the Nigeria football eggheads.
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According to Keshi, Mikel had conveyed the yearnings of Nigerians to Anichebe on phone, as to why he needs to bury the hatchet and return to the team; a chat which really got down well with the Everton star who then promised to book a fresh meeting with Mikel, upon his return from pre-season games.
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"There has been much progress with issue of Victor Anichebe. Mikel told me he had his first chat with Victor on the need to return to Super Eagles again after many years in self exile and I am happy to inform you that Mikel got a positive response from his first discussion with the Everton striker. He (Mikel) told me that Anichebe gave him good audience and that they will be meeting when Everton return from pre-season games. I am waiting on Mikel to give me details of their second discussion. I just hope he gets it done at the end. I have always said that Anichebe will bring in something new into the team should he make a U-turn and play for Nigeria," Keshi revealed.
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Anichebe had turned down calls to feature for the Super Eagles after his recovery from injury sustained while playing for Nigeria, which almost made him quit football all together. A succession of injuries had conspired to bring his progress to a standstill and the desire to make the most of his talents was repeatedly called into question.
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But With Keshi's pragmatic efforts to influence the striker to rescind his decision of not playing for Nigeria again up in flames, Mikel Obi is now being used as the middleman between Nigeria and the player as moves have intensified to welcome him back into the Eagles' nest.
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It remains to be seen how Mikel intends to talk Anichebe into playing for Nigeria, given his insistence on focusing on club football to enable him tie down a regular shirt under new manager, Roberto Martinez.
I believe Victor Anichebe would return in no time...Maybe he is finalising stuff @ Everton FC. He is the kind of material we need in our national team.