Keshi Lauds Impactful Aaron Samuel

Coach Stephen Keshi has hailed Aaron Samuel for his contribution to the Nigeria senior national team since taking his bow in Sudan last month.

The former 3SC and Dolphins striker has tallied a goal per-game for the Super Eagles since opening his account in the 3-1 reverse defeat to Sudan in Abuja four days after his debut.

To undermine the cynicism expressed by many football enthusiasts and analysts following the inclusion of the player, who plies his trade in the lowly-rated Chinese league, the Guangzhou R & F striker’s last-gasp goal against Congo in Point-Noire revived Nigeria’s chances of qualification for the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations in Equatorial Guinea.

Aaron Samuel Has Scored Two Goals After Three Nigeria Caps. Image: AFP.
Aaron Samuel Has Scored Two Goals After Three Nigeria Caps. Image: AFP.

“I am happy for him (Samuel). He has done well,” remarked Keshi.

“In my own reckoning the Chinese league is even better than the league in the US. And it is not every player who is lucky to play for Barcelona or in Europe.

“I have been monitoring this kid for over a year since he was in Norway.”

Keshi added: “The fans only have to trust that what we are doing is for the overall good of the team. We also have to believe in these young players for them to grow into the big stars like (Austin) ‘jay jay’ Okocha, Peter Rufai and so on.”