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Tag: keshi

  • Keshi happy with Eagles’ showing against South Africa

    Keshi happy with Eagles’ showing against South Africa

    Super Eagles coach, Stephen Keshi, has said the players performed better against South Africa than they did in their last game and will get better in subsequent matches

    Despite their goalless draw and just a point in two matches, Keshi has said he was happy with his team performance against the former African champions.

    The Super Eagles failed to fire and managed to avoid a consecutive loss as in the bid to qualify for Morocco 2015 African Nations Cup.

    “The game was not bad, I thought it was very good tactical play and a good play by Bafana,” Goal quoted Keshi as saying after the match.

    “A little bit of improvement from my players, a lot better than what we did on Saturday. We have not been together and it is taking time to gel. I’m not satisfied but I liked what I saw today.”

    Responding to questions about the inability of striker Emmanuel Emenike to find the net in recent games, Keshi said the Fenerbahce man will soon hit form.

    “If a striker doesn’t play good, doesn’t mean he’s not good. You see players in Europe who go 15 games without a goal, doesn’t mean he’s not there. Emenike, I have to believe he is there. When he starts scoring he won’t stop scoring,” the coach said.

    “We have not played together for three months. He plays in a different team with a different style, we need to come together and start playing our normal game.

    “Hopefully by October we should be there. I’m happy with the performance today and I know it’d be much better as this is just 60 per cent of our game.”

     

  • Fashanu faults Keshi’s tactics

    Fashanu faults Keshi’s tactics

    John Fashanu has fingered coach of the Super Eagles Stephen Keshi’s tactics as the reason why Nigeria lost to Congo at

    The Ex England International of Nigeria parentage said Keshi’s tactics from the start cost the Eagles dearly in the game.

    “Stephen Keshi is one coach I admire a lot, but his tactics in the first half, and the players he selected cost Nigeria the game, ” he told SL10.ng.

    “I understand the idea of resting players because of the South Africa game, but leaving your best striker (Emenike) out, and starting with a player (Nwofor), who strikes no fear into the minds of the opposition, was a gamble that backfired.”

    The former Wimbledon captain said for the Eagles to be at the Nations Cup next year in Morocco, Keshi needs to work on the defence line, which was shaky.

    “It’s not looking good at the moment, but from what we saw in the second half, the Super Eagles are a good side in attack, but defensively there are so many issues.

    “All the goals Congo scored were avoidable with some simple basics, but they weren’t there, if we are to be at the Nations Cup next year then a whole lot of work needs to be done on the defence.”

    Speaking on Wednesday’s game against South Africa, Fashanu said the game plan should be about not conceding first before anything else.

    “They should focus more on not conceding early because if they concede, the hangover of the defeat to Congo will demoralise them further.

    “We have a good record against South Africa, but we must approach them with respect more than ever as they are on a high, winning 3-0 away, a new coach, a new mentality, they will be aiming to re-write history.”

  • Obuh Backs Keshi

    Obuh Backs Keshi

    Former Nigeria Under- 17 and 20 Coach John Obuh has jumped to the defence of Stephen Keshi’s tactics after the Super Eagles shock 3-2 loss to Congo in Calabar.

    The Enugu Rangers gaffer admitted the loss is a setback but insists Keshi’s coaching ability should not be judged on the game.

    “I accept the loss is hard to take but faulting Keshi’s tactics is way over the board,sometimes there is little a coach can do when players fail to turn up in game,” he told SL10.ng.

    “It’s easy for fans to crucify a coach after such defeat at home, but judging Keshi, who brought Nigeria football out of the wilderness it found herself by a game is harsh, very harsh”

    However, Obuh insisted the coaching crew and the boys will have no chance but to respond in their next game against South Africa to win back public trust and support.

  • Keshi raises alarm over Facebook impostors

    Keshi raises alarm over Facebook impostors

    •Emenike, Osaguona, shine in Eagles training

    Super Eagles only training session on Thursday evening at the UJ Esuene Stadium, was one that stood some players out, though all the stars, 22 of them are fit to start according to Head Coach, Stephen Okechukwu Keshi.

    Hotshot, Emmanuel Emenike’s rising profile in front of goalkeepers was obvious as his powerful runs, crosses and blistering goals came to the fore even as he played on the side of the possible against the probables in the training session. New boy, Christian Ighodaro Osaguona, also showed signs that he has a future with the team, with smart play when given the ball in front of goalkeepers. But the man who stole the show on the evening was El-kanemi goalkeeper, David Obiozor, who was having his first training session with the team. He dived, parried and clutched balls to the delight of hundreds of fans who turned out to watch the team’s training under very clement weather in Calabar.

    After the session, Coach Keshi raised a fresh alarm about some impostors who have been using his name on facebook pretending to be Stephen Okechukwu Keshi. “I have heard about people posing as Keshi on facebook and I want to say because of this type of activities by deviants, I never set up a facebook account.”

    He continued: “I don’t have a facebook account, but I have my email and phones which are even restricted because people will be looking for ways to use this new wave of technology to dupe people. I call on relevant security authorities to put a stop to those parading themselves as Stephen Keshi on facebook.”

  • Erico: Keshi a patriot

    Erico: Keshi a patriot

    Former Super Eagles assistant coach Joe Erico has described as pure patriotism coach Stephen Keshi’s acceptance to temporarily oversee Nigeria’s 2015 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) double-header against Congo DR and South Africa on September 6 and 10 respectively.

    Re-engagement discussion was still ongoing between the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and representatives of the former Togo coach before the Sports Minister, Tammy Danagogo, stepped in to broker a two-match truce.

    Erico said it must have been the burning desire to serve the ‘fatherland’ that compelled the former Mali coach to take up the assignment of guiding the Afcon champions in these two important matches.

    “Keshi’s act is patriotism at its highest, worthy of commendation. Usually, it’s during a period of national emergency that patriots step out to distinguish themselves from ordinary mortals.

    “We had two Afcon matches right before our noses with no substantive coach in view. Keshi has come to fill the void, here is hoping that the discourse whether or not to re-engage him will be tidied up before the next matches in the Afcon race.

    “This re-engagement talk would be absolutely unnecessary if we had put in place the culture of appreciating our own.

    “Contract talk with a local coach should be a call to service; seamless and straight forward without too much public attention.

    “The NFF knows what is needed and should straight ahead provide the necessary tools for the coach to work with.

    However, Erico is not worried over the Eagles winning one of the two Afcon spots in the group that comprises Congo DR, South Africa and Sudan.

    “We’ll have ourselves to blame if we don’t qualify from the group.We just have to get our act right and treat the qualifiers with some sense of seriousness like we did in the last dispensation. We’ve the material and tools, it’s just for us to put our priorities right,” said the former Iwuanyanwu Nationale coach.

    The 23-man Eagles are expected to reconvene on Monday for the Afcon tie against DR Congo’s Red Devils due for the UJ Esuene Stadium in Calabar on September 6.

  • Keshi demands N72m yearly deal

    Keshi demands N72m yearly deal

    • Danagogo reveals that Big Boss wants N6m monthly
    • Vows to pay coach for Congo, South Africa games if NFF refuses

    Sports  Minister,Tammy Danagogo has revealed that Chief Coach of the Super Eagles, Stephen Keshi, who is on the verge of renegotiating a new contract with the Nigeria Football Federation, has actually requested for a monthly salary of N6 million contrary to the N15 million he was touted to have demanded for.

    The Minister also disclosed that Keshi has exhibited patriotism to the extent that he is willing to even dropped the idea of the increment in his monthly wages to help his country prosecute the two Africa Nations Cup qualifiers holding next month. Danagogo however blamed the NFF crisis for the delay in sealing the coach’s contract.

    “The NFF has been negotiating with Stephen Keshi but apparently because of the situation on ground the negotiation has not been very successful. If you look at it his contract expired about when we just exited the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.

    “Apparently the NFF as at then was not very eager to re-negotiate with him. So we (National Sports Commission) were trying to see whether the NFF will negotiate with him. They were on that when a few things started coming up. Then Maigari left, Maigari was suspended and Mike Umeh came in. Umeh then commenced negotiation with him (Keshi) but negotiation was stalled because they couldn’t agree on the remuneration.

    “We again told Umeh to allow Maigari to come in to finish his tenure and do a peaceful election. From that Maigari came back and they too said that that amount of money they won’t be able to agree with it.

    “Then I look at it that we have a match on the 6th of September (2014) why do we unduly delay the contract. So I called Keshi personally to know what the issues were. He told me what they have offered him and what he has asked to be paid.

    “I asked him if he is desirous to do the job. He said he is desirous and I told him I will undertake to see that when the dust is settled on NFF issue we will get him and the NFF to sit down and sign the contract. I then asked him to come and do the work and if need be the Ministry can pay him. I told him if the NFF cannot pay him the NSC can pay for things to be done.

    “He then told me for the love of his country he will come and start and when the NFF is settled they can agree. What they have offered and what Keshi is demanding is not even more than a million naira difference. It is just for the NFF to be settled and then Keshi’s contract will be signed.The issue of what to pay Keshi is no longer a challenge.

    “Even with what I have discussed with him now he can even waive that. So it is now left for the two sides to sit down, sign the contract and also agree on other issues in the contract. The issues to be resolved are assistant coaches, and so on. These are the details of the needful to be sorted out,” Danagogo explained.

  • I’m always ready — Keshi

    I’m always ready — Keshi

    Stephen Keshi has confirmed that the Nigerian Sports Minister, Dr Tammy Danagogo made it possible for him to take charge of the two African Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2015 qualifiers against Congo and South Africa.

    Keshi exclusively told supersport.com from his California home in the US,t hat “the Minister has asked me to come take charge of these matches while the NFF situation is sorted out. I am a Nigerian and love to contribute to anything that will help my fatherland always”.

    Keshi is keen to continue his work with the crop of players he made African Champions in South Africa in 2013 and took to the World Cup. The NFF on their part seem to have had a change of plans and started negotiating with the coach.

    “Yes, we have been discussing about a new contract” Keshi says. “The documents are with my lawyers and we are hopefully going to find a level playing ground so we can move on. In the meantime, we have to get through these qualifiers first”

    According to a source in the NFF, part of the contract talks with the coach includes “arrangements to get him to attend coaching courses in Europe regularly as part of us offering him the assistance he needs for the task of coaching the country”.

    On his assistants the source says “the new deal will see the NFF paying his assistants that the coach chooses and the former situation will not be allowed to rise again where Keshi paid them himself”

    Stephen Keshi informs that he drew up the list of players “yes, it was my list of players and I hope to be able to get the required results with them. Those not on the list have not been permanently excluded as I am always on the lookout for good Nigerian players all over the world.”

  • Keshi to handle Eagles against Congo, South Africa

    Keshi to handle Eagles against Congo, South Africa

    The agent of Stephen Keshi has claimed the coach has reached an agreement with the country’s sports minister to handle the Super Eagles next month so as to avert “a disaster.”

    Nigeria hosts Congo on September 6 in Calabar and faces South Africa four days later in Cape Town in 2015 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, africanFootball.com reports.

    Keshi’s manager Emmanuel Ado revealed to africanFootball.com that his brother has agreed to an appeal from federal government to return to his post to avert “disaster” in these matches while contract talks continue.

    Talks with Keshi’s agents were at an advanced stage, but had stalled no thanks to the leadership tussle rocking Nigerian football.

    “I want to announce that we have reached an agreement between Keshi and the minister of sports,” Ado told africanFootball.com.

    “The agreement is all about Nigeria. And as a patriotic Nigerian, Keshi has no choice than to answer to the appeal of Mr. President.

    “Talks will resume after the two matches, but my client and brother has agreed to take charge of the games, so as to avert any form of disaster.”

    Sports minister Tammy Danagogo has not hidden his preference for the 52-year-old to continue as Nigeria coach after he guided the Super Eagles to the knockout stage of the World Cup in Brazil.

    However, the general assembly of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) on Tuesday in Abuja is expected to deliberate on the coach’s future with the team.

  • Keshi: Moses not fit

    Keshi: Moses not fit

    Stephen Keshi has told AfricanFootball.com he left out Victor Moses from Nigeria’s AFCON 2015 qualifiers against Congo and South Africa because the forward has lost form.

    Victor Moses, who has joined English Premier League side Stoke City, was conspicuously missing from Keshi’s 23-man squad, released on Tuesday for next month’s AFCON qualifiers against Congo and South Africa.

    “I watched Victor Moses at Chelsea’s pre-season and he seemed to be struggling as he had limited play time with the club,” Keshi told only AfricanFootball.com.

    “Now that he has joined Stoke City, I think he needs time to get back to the player we know him to be.

    “I think it’s time he made up his mind what he wants, if he wants to play football or not.”

    After emerging as one of Nigeria’s top stars at last year’s Africa Cup of Nations in South Africa, Victor Moses missed the FIFA Confederations Cup in Brazil on account of injury, before he struggled to make an impact at the recent World Cup.

    Last season, he endured a torried time at Liverpool after he was shipped out on loan by Chelsea and this season, he has again been released on loan to Stoke City as he does not figure in Jose Mourinho’s plans.

  • Keshi’s contract saga still ‘unresolved’

    Keshi’s contract saga still ‘unresolved’

    Stephen Keshi has admitted he is not clear about his future with Nigeria and as such he may not be in charge of the Super Eagles for next month’s 2015 African Nations Cup qualifiers.

    Nigeria hosts Congo on September 6 and travels to South Africa four days later to meet Bafana as places at Morocco 2015 gather momentum.

    A 23-man squad has been announced for the qualifiers and the Nigeria Football Fderation president, Aminu Maigari, said the call-ups were made by Keshi and wants the coach’s contract negotiations to be concluded in good time.

    But Keshi told africanFootball.com his situation is far from resolved.

    Keshi and the NFF entered into contract talks last week, but talks have been stalled due to the crisis that has rocked the federation.

    “I don’t know when I would be returning to Nigeria because things don’t seem to be clear yet,” he maintained.

    “But right now as I speak to you I am enjoying the comfort of my home and just waiting on my managers to alert me on the next line of action.”

    He further insisted a new and improved contract has to be in place before he could return to his post.

    “I cannot just resume duty when talks have not been concluded,” said Keshi, whose first contract ended at the World Cup in Brazil.

    “The federation is offering me exactly what they offered two years ago. I don’t think that is wise or a contract renewal.”