NIGERIA boss Stephen Keshi has warned Stoke City forward Peter Odemwingie he is far from guaranteed a place at the World Cup, despite his Premier League goals.
Odemwingie has been in fine fettle for the Potters since joining from Cardiff City in January, but has not played for Nigeria since a public spat with head coach Keshi in 2012.
The front man took to Twitter to vent his frustration about being substituted in a match against Rwanda - sparking a feud which saw him miss the 2013 African Cup of Nations.
The African press has this week reported Odemwingie has apologised and tried to build bridges.
But Keshi says he will not risk upsetting team harmony by recalling a player who has been dubbed Nigeria's prodigal son.
He told This Day Live: "I am happy that Osaze (Odemwingie) is scoring for his club and he is now back to regular action, but that is not enough for me to call him up to the Eagles world cup squad.
"What most Nigerians don't understand is that, this team is not about a player, but about the team.
"No player is a boss in the team, but all players are equal. I don't want to invite a player that would unsettle the team chemistry and unity.
"How come some Nigerians keep talking about two players only? Ikechukwu Uche and Osaze Odemwingie. Are they the only players doing well that have not been invited? How about Lukman Haruna, Michael Babatunde, why are people not talking about them?
"One thing we must know is that it’s only the best we will pick to the World Cup. But what we will not do is pick players who want to lord themselves on other players in the team."
Nigeria are drawn with Argentina, Iran and Bosnia and Herzegovina in Group F of the World Cup, presenting the possibility of Odemwingie playing against his clubmate Asmir Begovic in Brazil.
Culled from stokesentinel
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