Kanu tasks Odemwingie on World Cup

Atlanta’96 Olympic Games soccer gold medallist, Nwankwo Kano has put Stoke City striker and Super Eagles returnee, Peter Osaze Odemwingie on the spot with a charge that he must show class by making the final 23-man squad for the World Cup in Brazil. According to africasoccer.com, the former Super Eagles captain was of the view that the Stephen Keshi tutored side can rely on the striker to perform wonders at the World Cup. The former Arsenal star, Kanu declared: “We need everybody, the team is open. Odemwingie is a great player, he has great qualities and we are happy that he is flying. That is what we need. That is why he has been called up. We want him to do the same in the World Cup, and (manager) Stephen Keshi knows that. Right now, when I talk to Osaze (Odemwingie), I will tell him he will make a mark. He will prove a lot of people wrong and make sure he does something special at the World Cup.” The Stoke City forward is in a provisional 30-man party that faces Scotland in an international friendly today at Craven Cottage. The 32-year-old is expected to be handed a spot in the final 23-man group for the Brazil finals, which is due to be announced next Monday. The pace man and Keshi have had to patch up their differences since a public spat about a substitution in the build up to the 2013 African Cup of Nations. Kanu hoped the pair’s problems stayed in the past. “The only thing is that if they have issues, they have to sort it out,” he added. “The players have to respect the coach. If the respect is there, the coach has to give back to the player.”