'He Was Out Of Breath A Lot' - Odemwingie Makes Big Claim About Keshi's Health In Brazil

Retired Nigeria international Peter Odemwingie has claimed that late Stephen Keshi was not in good health during the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.

The legendary Nigeria central defender, who won the Africa Cup of Nations as player and coach with the Super Eagles, passed away on June 7, 2016 after a suspected heart attack at his home in Benin City.

Odemwingie and Keshi had been feuding after the striker was dropped from the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations roster but they both buried the hatchet few months before the tournament in Brazil.

"It's not to prove who is boss, who is not. It's national interest and I believe I brought some value to the team in Brazil, we put those differences aside," Odemwingie said in an Instagram conversation with the Super Eagles Media Team monitored by allnigeriasoccer.com.

"And actually after that we were in touch, he'll give me a call out of the blue, he'll just call to say hello and say he heard about my injury and then checked on me when I had surgery."

The ex-West Brom and Stoke City star continued : "Of course it shocked me as well he passed away but you could see his health wasn't great even in Brazil. He was out of breath a lot, he needed to take breaks, he wasn't so much full of energy on the sidelines.

"Sometimes he stands up to pass some messages, he wasn't looking full of energy then, unfortunately.

"He's a legend in the country, he's done a great job, put any sentiment aside he got the job done and that's what counts a lot in sports."

With the exception of the goalless draw against Iran in their opener, Odemwingie started all the matches played by the Super Eagles at the World Cup in Brazil, and the highlight of his performance was scoring the match-winning goal against Bosnia in the group stage.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel

Photo Credit : fifa.com