The Nation Newspaper

Tag: keshi

  • Keshi reveals strategy for return leg

    Keshi reveals strategy for return leg

     •Bolton Salutes Team

    Super Eagles boss, Stephen Okechukwu Keshi says the team will play as if it had not played a first leg encounter when both teams clash on November 16, in the Canaan City of Calabar, Cross River state.

    Speaking after his side’s 2-1 win over Ethiopia in Addis Ababa at the weekend, Keshi said he was not disappointed by the gritty display of the host and praised the resilience of his players in rebuffing them. “The Ethiopians were very good and tactical and that shows how good their coach is, but we were the more experienced side and it showed at the end of the day.

    The coach said the impact of the Eagles’ second half substitutes was massive, as it had immediate impact on the match and eventually gave the team the upper hand. In a similar vein, Bolton White Apartments where the team was quartered through its qualifiers and even before its Nations Cup win at SA 2013 has sent heart warming congratulations to the Super Eagles, even as it urged the team to finish up the job in Calabar on November 16.

    General Manager of the apartment, John Essien said in a letter to Keshi dated October 14, 2013, that following the victory in Addis Ababa, its hotel can now be aptly dubbed “Champions Camp Hotel”, while Calabar should conveniently answer the “Winning City”.

  • No extra training for Oboabona

    No extra training for Oboabona

    Nigeria coach Stephen Keshi says he is happy with his first look at Godfrey Oboabona and does not envisage any additional training to get the defender in top shape to face Ethiopia this weekend.

    Oboabona has only played one competitive game since joining Turkish club Rizespor in the summer, but Keshi says he is confident the player is in good shape for the weekend.

    “We saw him train yesterday (Tuesday) and his intensity matched the other players. He is a quality player, we spoke about the situation yesterday and he assured me that he has played and will be ready. There is no need to give him any extra training, and we have three of four days to train until Saturday so he should be in good shape by then,” Keshi told KickOffNigeria.com.

    Nigeria’s first day of training on Tuesday was intense, and Keshi was pleased by the effort. “That is the only way we can survive in that weather condition. I like the fight and intensity shown by the players. If we can keep that up in Ethiopia, we will get a good result.

    “We are training at a time when it’s hot; the weather is a bit thin and humid so it is as close as possible to what we will get there. But these players know what is at stake and I don’t have to spell it out to them. We want to qualify for the World Cup, and we want to go to Ethiopia and get the kind of result that will aid us in that,” Keshi said.

  • Abuja pitch: Keshi makes u-turn

    Abuja pitch: Keshi makes u-turn

    •Igiebor explains late arrival

    Super Eagles boss, Stephen Okechikwu Keshi, has explained that his comments on the Abuja National Stadium, were not derogatory as portrayed in a section of the media, but only made to help correct what he saw wrong at the arena, when the team trained there on Tuesday evening.

    “I was responding to a question by a reporter and what I said was that the Stadium is not bad but we still have some work to do. I am surprised that it has become Keshi condemning the entire process of stadium repairs,” he said.

    Keshi spoke at the Media parley for journalists on Wednesday morning and also added that the team will be more than ready for the Ykdachew Tessema Stadium bumping pitch when it gets to Addis Ababa. “My players are professionals and they will be ready for any pitch that the Ethiopians will have on offer, because at this level we don’t offer any excuses,” he added.

    Meanwhile Real Betis midfielder, Nosa Igiebor, who arrived Wednesday afternoon, has explained that he came that late because his team was holding him back with meetings. “We were meeting and meeting and at the end of the day I still had to make my reservations but am ready,” he said.

    Shola Ameobi on his part said it was flight mixup. “It was very long and tiring but am getting used to it. But I want to go to the World Cup with Nigeria, so I must make the sacrifice,” he said.

  • Battle of Addis Ababa We’ll make Nigerians proud — Keshi

    Battle of Addis Ababa We’ll make Nigerians proud — Keshi

    • Wants Nigerians’ prayers
    • Says he is not under any pressure to win in Addis Ababa

    Super Eagles Coach, Stephen Keshi has called for prayers from football loving Nigerians for his team to beat the host team, the Walyas Antelopes of Ethiopia in the first leg, final play-off of the 2014 World Cup African qualifying series holding in Addis Ababa on Sunday.

    Keshi, who had a two hour afternoon (from 3-5pm) work out with 18 Super Eagles players yesterday at the main bowl of the Abuja National Stadium told SportingLife after the training that in as much as the team was determined to make Nigerians proud by beating Ethiopia in Addis Ababa, the Eagles still need the full support and prayers of football loving Nigerians to be able to achieve this.

    “Nigerians should pray for us to make them very proud. The mind set of the team is to go out there and get a good result for Nigeria and also make ourselves proud. We are the major actors on the field and we need to be able to showcase what we can do and then make Nigeria’s flag fly there. We have big responsibilities and we are aware of this and determined to make Nigerians proud at the end of the match in Addis Ababa”.

    He also disclosed that he was in no panic and pressure situation as regards the all important match. He said that as a coach being under pressure is no more excuse to get the needed result but to go out there and grind out the needed victory for his side.

    “I am not under pressure to go to Addis Ababa and get a good result against Ethiopia. As a coach what I know exists in any match are three results, a win, a draw and a loss. But I am confident that we will get a good result out there. We are training to get victory against Ethiopia and with the support of all and sundry we will achieve this. So, I am not under any pressure”.

    Keshi also said that he was satisfied by the travelling arrangements made by the Nigeria Football Federation. “Yes I am satisfied with the travelling arrangements. We hope to be there within 24-hours period of the game and get into Ethiopia and play and get out. So we are looking good”, he said.

  • Keshi laments Abuja stadium pitch is horrible

    Keshi laments Abuja stadium pitch is horrible

    The Super Eagles Head Coach Stephen Keshi has said that the refurbished pitch of the National Stadium in Abuja was not good for football.

    Keshi said this on Tuesday evening when he spoke to newsmen after 18 Super Eagles players had their first training session on the refurbished pitch ahead of the crucial World Cup final round qualifier against Ethiopia.

    He expressed displeasure with the state of the pitch, saying that it would be dangerous for the Eagles to play on it.

    “From what I saw, it is a sandy pitch and it is hard; it will be very difficult for the players to play on it, especially the goalkeepers because it is sharp sand.

    “If it rains, I think, the pitch will be water-logged,’’ Keshi said.

  • Keshi to recall Yobo for Ethiopia game

    Keshi to recall Yobo for Ethiopia game

    There are strong indications that Super Eagles Captain Joseph Yobo may be recalled into the team after the first leg World Cup qualifiers against the Walya Antelope of Ethiopia in Addis Ababa.

    A source close to the Head Coach of the team, Stephen Keshi who spoke to NationSport in confidence, said the Big Boss may likely recall the Fernabache strongman back into the team after the first leg World Cup qualifying match against the Walya Antelopes of Ethiopia in Calabar.

    Yobo has been out of the team since leading the Super Eagles to win the Nations cup in January. He was said to have made some uncomplimentary comments on his exclusion from subsequent qualifying matches, which, however, did not go down well Keshi who though continued to insist that the former Everton player still remains the captain of the team, but refused to invite him to any of the matches.

    According to our source, “the Big Boss still holds Joseph Yobo in high esteem. He has great regards for him, and that is the main reason why he always insists Yobo is still his captain. Yobo is his boy, and they still relate well. I am very sure the captain would be part of the return leg match against Ethiopia in Calabar. Though, the Big Boss has not told anyone that, but his body language is seriously suggesting that. He holds nothing against Yobo, and would want to prove that by extending him invitation to him in the match in Calabar” the source said.

    Meanwhile, Yobo has revealed to NationSport that he is in touch with all the players in the team, urging them to ensure that they do the country proud in Addis Ababa in the World Cup qualifier.

    Speaking from his base in Turkey, the former junior international said: ” I am in touch with the players, and I have told them the need to win the match for the country. I told them the importance of the match and the World Cup qualification for the country’s history, and they have promised to put in their best. I still wish the team well, because I know I am still part of the family, and qualifying for the 2014 World Cup would be a great thing for the centenary celebration of our country. So all hands must be on deck to pick the ticket” he said.

  • RACIST COMMENTS: FIFA warns Keshi

    RACIST COMMENTS: FIFA warns Keshi

    Nigeria coach, Stephen Keshi has been given a warning by FIFA for alleged racist comments towards former Malawi coach, Tom Saintfiet, ahead of their World Cup qualifier in September.

    According to a FIFA spokesperson who was interviewed by THIS DAY on Monday, FIFA decided to impose a warning on Keshi over his alleged comments.

    The decision was reached after the Chairman of the FIFA Disciplinary Committee, Claudio Sulser, referred to Article 57 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code.

    Sulser said that Keshi must guarantee that incidents of such high gravity do not occur again in the future.

    “If such incidents should happen again, the FIFA Disciplinary Committee will be left with no other option than to impose sanctions against the coach Stephen Keshi.’’

    The use of offensive gestures or language, or any one who violates the principle of fair play or whose behaviour is unsporting in any other way may be subject to sanctions in accordance with Article 10 ff”.

    The decision will be welcome news to Nigeria officials, Keshi and all Nigerian fans ahead of the Super Eagles trip to Addis Ababa to face Ethiopia in the 2014 World Cup qualifying play-off on October 13.

  • BATTLE OF ADDIS ABABA: Keshi clears Ameobi

    BATTLE OF ADDIS ABABA: Keshi clears Ameobi

    Nigeria coach Stephen Keshi has disclosed that injured Newcastle striker Shola Ameobi will be fit for a 2014 World Cup playoffs in Ethiopia.

    Ethiopia host the Super Eagles on October 13 in a first leg playoff for a place at next year’s World Cup in Brazil.

    Ameobi has been sidelined by a knock he picked up while on international duty last month, with his club saying he will be sidelined for several weeks thus raising fears he may miss the match in Addis Ababa.

    But Keshi has now told MTNFootball.com that the striker will be available for the qualifier.

    “Shola is fine. He will be ready for the game against Ethiopia. I spoke with him last week and he said he is good. In any case he is a very disciplined player who really wants to play for his country. So, my list remains intact, there would be no changes,” Keshi said.

    Ameobi has won four caps for Nigeria and scored a goal since he made his long-awaited international debut against Venezuela last year in the United States of America.

     

  • Bonus Row Panel Recommendation: Keshi seeks decisions before Ethiopia trip

    Bonus Row Panel Recommendation: Keshi seeks decisions before Ethiopia trip

    •Minister gives word on implementation

    With the recommendations of the ministerial panel on the Super Eagles bonus row yet to be officially disclosed and implemented, Super Eagles coach, Stephen Keshi has stated that such information should be passed on early enough before the World Cup playoff against Ethiopia, so as to avoid what happened in Namibia in June.

    The Federal Government through the National Sports Commission (NSC) had earlier set up a panel to investigate the bonus row issue that ensued between the Super Eagles and the Nigeria Football Federation.

    Speaking to Brila FM, Keshi warned that there could be problems if the situation isn’t properly managed.

    “We have to lecture everybody; informing them well ahead of time what is going to happen, the decision that has been taken and it won’t be proper if the information comes when the game is about to start.

    “Such things have happened before in the national team and if not well taken care of, it will happen again and there might be crisis if not properly done,” he cautioned.

    Meanwhile, Sports minister, Bolaji Abdullahi has assured that the recommendations of the bonus row panel will be implemented.

    NSC set up a panel of inquiry to investigate the circumstances that led to players of the men’s senior national team to strike after a World Cup qualifier against Namibia in June and as a result, arrived late for the 2013 FIFA Confederation’s Cup in Brazil.

    “Definitely we will implement the panel’s report, the idea behind it all is that we must continue to set up systems and reduce opportunities for people to use their discretion.

    “When there are systems in place, things are predictable and everybody will know what they are supposed to do and that is exactly what we want to do,” Abdullahi said.

    The Eagles will face the Wayla Antelopes of Ethiopia in Addis Ababa on October 13 in the 1st leg of the final round of African World Cup qualifiers en route to Brazil 2014.

  • Keshi calls for Joel Obi

    Keshi calls for Joel Obi

    The Super Eagles coach, Stephen Keshi has hinted that playmaker, Joel Obi will have a chance to prove himself once again in the national team.

    The AC Parma midfielder showed so much promises in the limited appearances he has had with the Super Eagles, but injuries have blighted his chances of becoming a mainstay in the team.

    Keshi revealed that he really wants to work with the player but each time he wanted to invite him, he was sidelined.

    “I have tried on so many occasions to call Joel but I still can’t get through. I would really want to talk with him, the last time we spoke he was nursing an injury,” Keshi is quoted as saying on Brilafm.net.

    There are reports that Keshi could hand Joel Obi an invitation for the home leg of the World Cup qualifier against Ethiopia on November 16th at the UJ Esuene stadium in Calabar, if the player is fully fit for the ocassion.

    The Super Eagles will first travel to Addis Ababa in October and then play a friendly game,before hosting the return leg a month later.