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Keshi enraged by Uche talk

Cape Town - Nigeria head coach Stephen Keshi has called for the end of the discussion over Ikechukwu Uche's exile from the national team set-up.

The Villarreal forward was again omitted from the Super Eagles squad for the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, despite showing good form in La Liga.

Keshi responded with fury when quizzed about Uche at a recent press conference, ahead of his side's trip to Sudan.

"This will be the last time I will speak about Ike Uche and I will not speak about him again, we are not quarreling," the Nigeria coach told the press.

"Before the match against Congo, I gave them the list because I never thought I will come back to handle the team. I told them I will not do the list because I am not your coach they say no, so I did the list.

"Ike Uche's name was in the 24-man list. He didn't even know about it, I did not tell him. Uche called me four days later and I was like ah, we spoke and that was it.

"The next time I told the team secretary to ask the players if they had South African visa and if they don't have it so that they can get the visa. When Uche was asked, he said why are you asking me, what do you need my passport for?

"I hate to speak without Uche not being here. You can call him and put it on speaker, if I'm telling lies let him say it. Please nobody should ask me about Uche again.

"Uche said he wants somebody to explain to him why they said he was a bad kid, and if not he is not playing. I said okay take his name out."

He added: "I am not going to beg Uche, I'm not going to ask (assistant coach) Daniel (Amokachi) to beg Uche. We all played for this country for 20-something years and nobody begged us to play. We were begging to play. So let it be the end today, don't ask me about Uche.

"Why not encourage the kids who have come here to play for their country. Why must it be Ike Uche, is it only him, Obafemi (Martins) is not saying anything, we have hundreds of other players who are not here."
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