Osaze: My Eagles return a fresh start

Super Eagles returnee, Osaze Odemwingie, has not ruled out playing for Nigeria in the 2018 World Cup in Russia after finding himself back in the Nigerian squad.
The Stoke City striker says having been welcomed back in to the Nigerian fold he feels it is another chance for him to impress on the international stage.
Osaze says he has patched up his differences with national team Coach, Stephen Keshi, and is now expected to be named in Nigeria’s final 23-man squad to be announced on Monday.
The pair clashed in 2012 after Osaze was subbed in their game against Rwanda and he went on to miss the 2013 African Cup of Nations, which Nigeria went on to win.
But the 32-year-old believes his return to the national squad is a “fresh start” for him.
“Many people wanted to see me back in the national team, some wrote to me to say that they missed me in the green colours, because I’ve done pretty well for Nigeria. I’ve had a lot of man-of-the-match performances, and I’ve won player of the year,” Osaze stated.
“In the past few years my only regret is that, as I’ve become a better player, I probably would have got more goals for myself and the country but I missed out a bit.
“I’ve missed a year and a half, missed out on the (Africa Nations) Cup they won unfortunately.
“I wish I was part of that squad because I’ve played in four Africa Nations and got three bronze medals, never a gold. But I can’t look back. This is another opportunity for me.”
Osaze joined Stoke City in January from West Bromwich Albion and was part of the club’s impressive end to the season.
He now hopes to take his form to the World Cup and admits he has something to prove.
“I want to go there and, every minute I get to play, whether I start or don’t start, make the best out of it, because the moment I am leaving my family at the door, looking at me waving, was a bit emotional,” he added.
Reflecting on his clash with Keshi in 2012, Osaze now accepts he could have handled the situation better.
“Keshi took over and in the first game I was subbed quite early, which I’ve never been used to because I always played 90 minutes, both for club and national team,” Odemwingie said.
“So I felt: ‘Ok, he’s probably not sure about me.’ I thought I should leave the national team for now.
“It could be that I misjudged the situation, and after watching how he does it … he made a lot of early substitutions during the qualifiers and the African Cup, so then I was like: ‘Ok, I shouldn’t have taken it in the way I did.’
“I’m humble enough to admit that, because when the same things happen to other players, then clearly it’s not personal to you.
“So for me it was then a case of coming to him and saying: ’Let’s hug it out and move on.’ He was happy to do that.”
Nigeria have been drawn in Group F at the World Cup against Argentina, Iran and Asmir Begovic’s Bosnia.