AFCON snub: No grudge against Keshi--Moses

NIGERIA international and Stoke City forward, Victor Moses says he doesn't bear a grudge against the head coach of the Super Eagles, Stephen Keshi for excluding him from the list of invited players for the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers against Republic of the Congo and South Africa.

The reigning African champions will this weekend in Point Noir face the Red Devils of Congo in a must win game with only four points to show on the table in group A, being dominated by Bafana Bafana of South Africa with seven points.
 
Nigeria's last AFCON qualifier holds on November 19 at the newly-commissioned Akwa Ibom International Stadium, Uyo, which could be a formality clash if the Eagles lose to Congo already with six points on the log.
 
Moses who is on loan from Chelsea told Stoke Sentinel that he was pleased with the decision of Keshi, who he said will never do anything that will jeopardise his career.
 
"There's a reason I'm not in it (the Super Eagles squad) and the manager (Keshi) has said I'm just getting back from injury and he didn't want to take the risk with me,"  Moses with seven goals since his debut in the Super Eagles in 2012 said.
 
The 2013 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) winner who scored his first English Premier League (EPL) goal for the Potters during a 2-2 draw with West Ham United, said he derives positives after all from the development - to be in top shape to be able to play for Nigeria blessed with a lot of talented players.
 
"I think he (Keshi) was right to do that. I'm the sort of player who always wants to represent Nigeria, but I just need to make sure I get myself back to full fitness," said Moses who featured in Stoke's 2-1 away win over Tottenham Hotspurs last Sunday. 
 
Keshi while defending the exclusion of Moses from the squad to Congo said: "I left (Moses) out because he’s just coming back from injury and we don’t want to take any risks".
 
The former coach of Togo added that: "Everyone knows what I think of Victor. He’s a good kid and very talented footballer but at this point, for the upcoming games, we don’t want to take any risks".
 
Meanwhile, the former England junior international celebrated Stoke's second away victory of
the season after Manchester City demolition at Etihad Stadium, through the social media.
 
The former Wigan Athletic player in his twitter account @Victor Moses said: “Great win at a tough ground the boys were superb! Appreciate all of your support as always”.

Caption: Victor Moses