Tag: keshi

Super Eagles boss, Stephen Okechukwu Keshi has sensationally revealed that he has an idea of the players that will make the final 23 man list to  the Brazil 2014 World Cup, but will still wait till the last minute before making it public.

Speaking after the national team had their first work -out at the Philadelphia Eagles Stadium in Philadelphia, Keshi said he was thrilled by the level of tactical and technical depth displayed by the  players but there was need to be cautious. “Yes, I have an idea of those who will go with us to Brazil but we will still wait till the last minute before we announce the list”, he was quoted as saying by Team’s Media Officer Ben Alaiya.

Keshi said he was delaying naming the list so as to have a second look at those who are not measuring up. So when is the last minute we are looking at, he was asked?.  “June 2 is the date we are looking at” he quipped.

The national team had their first training session on Tuesday morning in Philadelphia and were scheduled for another one later in the evening at 4:30 local time, which will be 9:30 Nigerian time.

Super Eagles captain, Joseph Yobo has hailed the team’s chief coach, Stephen Keshi over the 30-man provisional list for the World Cup.

Speaking from his base in England on Friday, Yobo was particularly appreciative that the coach showed utmost confidence in him.

According to Yobo: “I want to thank Big Boss for believing in me. I have tried to be a bit silent in recent times because I want to do my talking on the pitch. I will pay the coach back on the pitch.

“I give God the glory for coming this far in my career.It wouldn’t have been possible coming this far without his favour shinning on me”, he said.

• Reuben, Babatunde won’t make 23-man list if…
• Commends cash-strapped NFF
• Not thinking of Argentina now

Preparations towards THE Scotland 

During my playing days, any team we want to play,  always provide the best squad. So, going out there to face any team will see them bring out everything. We are also getting ready for the game, we are bringing our best squad and from there let’s see how it goes

 

DO WE EXPECT TO SEE New faces in the final 23-man list?

I don’t know yet until we start trainning next week Monday towards our friendly against Scotland on Wednesday, which is two days later. From there, trainning will step up. It is from there l will know if the list will have new faces or not. On June 2 the final list  will be submitted.

 

ANY Special feeling towards the World Cup?

Somehow it is good. It reminds me that there are people out there who appreciate what I do. It is a big challenge for me to do more because my goal is to bring joy to Nigerians, to develop this team into a strong squad and we are not finished and we have just started. There is a lot of work to be done and getting this great award is going to push me the more. Early this year I was African Best Coach again Nigeria best Coach so it is good. The feeling is the same thing; I don’t have any special feeling about it going to the World Cup, the only thing in my mind is to make Nigerians and Africans proud. This time around it is not just Nigeria but Africa as a whole and I pray that my players will be in good health because it is very important for us so that they will be able to give me hundred percent. So we are getting ready.

 

Kinmdly throw light on the Support from the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF)

In fact, it is not just the NFF that has been supporting me but Nigerians as well. It has being wonderful, just the little prayer that they say all the time towards the National team is unbelievable. I pray it continues that way and the players realizing that Nigerians are really behind them. I believe this will push them to work more in training to give their all in Brazil. The only challenge that NFF is presently facing is lack of cash which is  something I cannot explain, but overall the federation’s leadership has been tremendously supportive.

 

Tackling Argentina in the World Cup group stage. What is your take?

The Argentina game is not important right now because the most important game is against Iran and when I finish playing against Iran, Bosnia then I can have an answer to that.

 

WHAT IS THE Injury UPDATE ON YOUR PLAYERS?

They are no injuries. I have called the affected player like Austin Ejide and he made it clear that he was never injured, also AhmedMusa. He had a minor injury and l spoke to the club doctor who said in two or three weeks he would be fine. Musa  played in the last minutes for his Russian club in a league game which l didn’t like. I called Oduamadi and he dismissed the report of his injury. Infact he told that he had a match that same day, so I don’t know where all these rumours emanated from. I don’t think it is funny when we try to mislead Nigerians while at the same time showing ill-feelings towards our players.

 

Enyeama WAS RECENTLY VOTED AFRICA’S best in France. WERE YOU SURPRISED?

I was not because his someone l have always been monitoring right from when I was coaching the Mali and Togo national teams. He is a wonderful goal keeper but the thing with us in Nigeria is that we tend to forget so quickly. Once a player makes one or two mistakes, people call for his head. We forget that such a player has blood running through them, they are bound to make mistakes. l remember the two games Enyeama didn’t play well and the whole nation kept shouting that he should be removed but today I am happy for him that he is rated the best (smiles).

 

WHAT IS THE Strength of squad ahead OF THE World Cup?

Playing together as one

 your Preparations towards World Cup?

The friendlies will help to review the team and check out our tactical play you want to have or the system you want to play. The matches help to buildthe players confidence mostly the new players coming into the team. Friendly games are very important, having a different opponent is better for me.

ARE YOU OPTIMISTIC OF GETTING TO THE WORLD CUP FINAL?

I think is always good to be positive, if my Minister said that then I pray to God to  make it happen. Any team that wins the World Cup does not have two heads, they have one head just like us. It is possible, all we need to do is to concentrate, focus and fight our way through.

World Cup pressure on first timers

I was very young when l played my first game for Nigeria. I was seventeen when l played against Morocco. I was given the opportunity by a European Coach, I was coming from the Junior team, myself, Slyvanus  Okpala and Henry Nwosu etc, we were given the opportunity as school boys In the first game, l was a little bit jittery but the second l was better. If we don’t give these players the opportunity and the experience how are they going to get it? If we were not given the opportunity, probably we will not be here today. I don’t have a problem, taking risk, it  doesn’t mean I close my eyes and take risk, am happy for the players.

 

ANY Confidence in YoUR Players?

I have confidence in the players, they have talents but talent is not enough, you have to work hard and that’s what I see. I see great set of players and through hard work we can have a close squad to that of ’94.

 

Provisional thirty man squad list?

No matter what list I bring out, Nigerians will still question it, even though I have twenty Lionel Messi, people will ask why 20 Lionel Messi so I don’t want to talk about it. This is what I want and this is what I think will make Nigerians proud, these are the players I think will make the nation proud and themselves too.

 

WHAT IS THE QUALITY OF THE Squad?

The biggest quality is being together, fighting for one another and am beginning to see what we had in ’94 squad in the team now. Am beginning to see the players speak the truth to each other in the dressing room, they never had  that before. It  is great and that is how it was when we were playing we talk to ourselves in pidgin English; coach make Jay Jay siddon ooo! We no want dribble for this match na to win am ooo! That is the gospel truth but if this players are ready to give us what we want as a team not as a player then no problem.

 

Individual performances in Brazil?

That is personal desire, and we would give them all the opportunity, they are in good shape because we played against Mexico surprised to see Victor Moses in that level, he was sharp andquick, handling of the ball was very good . I don’t have a problem with that. They are football players and all they can do is to believe in themselves and it will come up.

 

Message to Nigerians

Nigerians should put us in prayers and just believe that the team will make them proud and they will make Nigerians proud.

Soccer buffs have continued to react to the provisional list of Super Eagles for the 2014 Brazil World Cup released on Tuesday by Coach Stephen Keshi, saying it’s his choice.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Keshi had announced a provisional list of 30 players, recalled team captain Joseph Yobo and Osaze Odemwingie but dropped Villareal’s Ikechukwu Uche.

NAN reports that Nigeria will be playing in Group F alongside Argentina, Bosnia-Herzegovinia and Iran at the Mundial.

Former Super Eagles Technical Adviser, Chief Adegboye Onigbinde, told NAN on Wednesday on telephone that the team list was Keshi’s choice.

“The team list is the choice of Keshi as the man in charge who knows what pattern he wants to use for the matches at the World Cup in Brazil,” he said.

Onigbinde, who said it was a long time he saw the players last in action, wondered if he had the temerity to question his action in leaving out or including a particular person in the team.

“All we can do is to wish the players and their handlers well at the World Cup,” he said.

He called on Nigerians to pray and support the team to do well.

Felix Owolabi, a.k.a, “Owo-Blow”,  a former Green Eagles left winger, said he welcomed the recall of Osaze Odewingwe of Stoke City FC of England back into the squad. He added that it was not too late for Keshi to also bring in Ike Uche.

“I don’t know the para-metres used by Keshi in selecting his team, but I feel strongly about the exclusion of Uche in the team. Uche is a good joker for Nigeria, therefore, it is not too late to recall him into the team because he is a good substitute for any coach,” Owolabi said.

He said that countries like Italy, Agentina, France, Netherlands and Spain would never leave behind their best players while going for World Cup and urged Keshi to have a rethink. He added that the World Cup outing in Brazil was different from the Nations Cup in South Africa.

Owolabi wondered if Nigeria could afford to miss the services of a potent player like Uche.

Chief Taiwo Ogunjobi, an ex-international, told NAN that all Nigerians needed to do was to support the team by Keshi, saying that “he has the right to select players.

“There is no point raising issues on the exclusion of Uche in the team because Keshi knows the players for the event,” he said.

Former Super Eagles defender, Ajibade Babalade, told NAN that Keshi had the ace when it comes to which player should be invited for the assignment, arguing that “there is not point crucifying him over Uche.

“I think the player had an axe to grind with Keshi and the Super Eagles technical crew asked him to apologise, but he refused. So, for me it is an act of indiscipline,” Babalade said.

NAN reports that among Keshi’s 30-man team list released on Tuesday are Goalkeepers Vincent Enyeama, Austin Ejide, Chigozie Agbim and Daniel Akpeyi.

The defenders are Elderson Echiejile, Juwon Oshaniwa, Godfrey Oboabona, Azubuike Egwuekwe, Kenneth Omeruo, Joseph Yobo, Kunle Odunlami and Efe Ambrose.

Also, the midfielders are John Mikel Obi, Ogenyi Onazi, Ramon Azeez, Joel Obi, Nosa Igiebor, Michael Uchebo, Ejike Uzoenyi, Sunday Mba, and Reuben Gabriel.

Ahmed Musa, Shola Ameobi, Emmanuel Emenike, Obinna Nsofor, Osaze Odemwingie, Babatunde Michael, Victor Moses, Uche Nwofor and Nnamdi Oduamadi are strikers.