Tag: Stephen Keshi

Stephen Keshi may claim credit for Nigeria’s victory at the 2013 Africa Nations Cup (AFCON) finals held in South Africa, but he carries the can for the country’s disappointing show at the 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup concluded recently in Brazil. Soon after his AFCON heroics, he exhibited signs of technical meltdown on the bigger stage. Beside poor selection and tactics, player agent considerations and more than a hint of self-interest appeared to question the former international’s Brazil 2014 World Cup credentials. Campaigning in Confederations Cup Group B, the Super Eagles managed to subdue a gutsy Tahiti 6-1 in the opening match before surrendering to South America champions Uruguay 2-1 and 3-0 to world champions, Spain. As evidence of technical gulf between Nigeria and the better-rated duo, Spain and Uruguay fully dissected Tahiti’s part-timers with the second-string and by wider goal margins. But for obvious lack of belief, as much from supporters as the squad, the Eagles could have soared. Victory looked impossible at the onset after Keshi, supported by Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) Technical Director, Shuaibu Amodu, ruled that the Confederations Cup would serve as a learning curve. While Amodu’s position seemed natural considering his publicised reluctance to work with local players from a ‘dead’ local league, Keshi should have known better after charting the emergence of Nigeria’s most gifted bunch since the 90s. By admitting that the Brazil 2014 Mundial far eclipsed the traditional pre-World Cup tournament in national team priorities at the moment, both fed a culture of underperformance. Instructively, Keshi replaced three important members of the team that triumphed in South Africa with continental and intercontinental rookies. Nnamdi Oduamadi, John Ogu, Michael Babatunde and Germany-based pair, Anthony Ujah and Joseph Akpala barely accounted for the injured Emmanuel Emenike and possibly disinterested Victor Moses. And as beneficiaries of Keshi’s heartwarming home-grown policy, Heartland’s Emeka Eze and Mohammed Gambo of Kano Pilllars berthed in Brazil, doe-eyed. Oduamadi caught the eye with a hat-trick against Tahiti before catching the injury bug, but Gambo lost sight of goal and miscued his kick on the 74th minute against Spain with Nigeria two goals behind. A goal at that point would have narrowed the contest, but blame not the star-struck debutant. Keshi chose neither Tahiti nor Uruguay, but ‘almighty’ Spain for the player’s introduction. How reassuring it would have been to see an Obafemi Martins, Shola Ameobi, Ike Uche or the ever-recalcitrant Osaze Odemwingie come off the bench with a wealth of big-game experience. That juncture, perhaps, critically marked Keshi’s coaching deficiency. Yet, with possession consequently split 60-40 in Spain’s favour, the European giants’ three goals poorly reflected the close contest. Time and again, the Nigerians got behind the opposing defence, only to squander the last ball, indicating a barrier more psychological than physical, for were these not the same players that regularly scored for their clubs in the course of the recently concluded European season? Brazil ‘chief culprit’, Brown Ideye, led Ukrainian giants Dynamo Kiev with 17 goals, for instance. His all-round qualities shone through, nonetheless. Emenike would readily finger his preferred strike partner’s assists as crucial to the AFCON 2013 success while Keshi touted the forward’s industry and sacrifice for relevance. Ahmed Musa closed the season with 11 strikes for a league and cup double with CSKA Moscow, but his poorly timed runs and skewed ball delivery in Brazil magnified Moses’ absence and embarrassed discerning fans. By the misfiring frontline is the team’s psychologist and physiotherapist for a disturbing tally of injuries to key performers and Keshi’s assistants for imperceptible contribution. Or is the ‘Big Boss’, as alleged, a one-man army? Still, Nigeria supporters bear as much fault for the Brazil letdown. Note the post-competition clamour: ‘Keshi tried’, ‘the boys were not good enough’, ‘Gambo is through with the national team’, and most needling of all, ‘at least we were not disgraced’. But we could truly be in a year’s time, if we overcome the Malawi challenge to top the African zone qualifying Group F and clear the third and last qualification hurdle to earn one of the continent’s five tickets to Brazil. Supporters have a point though. For the first time since the glorious 90s, for which Keshi is enduring symbol, the Eagles keep possession and transit quickly between defence and attack as witnessed from Tahiti to Spain. The challenges are having the Eagles put away chances with precision and dominating possession beyond their half, as Spain and Brazil do. Beyond discipline and tactics, however, the men in green must learn to play and lose with more pride – not arrogance, the kind that precedes surrender to minnows. To watch players taught unforgettable lessons by Spain subsequently don shirts from the victors and generally display good cheer benumbs the mind. What about respect for grieving fans? How about enduring African pedigree? In case any forget, here’s a reminder: as the world witnessed in South Africa 2013 and a ruffled Spain lately suggested, Nigeria remains a football giant with enough flair and pedigree to upset any opponent. Therefore, Nigeria can win the World Cup. Yes, that’s right. We can win. The Super Eagles, with the fans behind them, can move mountains whether shaped as Spain, Brazil, Netherlands, Italy, Argentina or any other opponent as illustrious – unless tactical upgrade and administrative issues, not least the match bonus dispute, prove Herculean. Quickly, for football and country, what will it be: the clearly more prudent $5, 000 ($2, 500 for a draw) or the $10, 000 win bonus per head demanded by playing and coaching staff? A row between officials and the team on the subject after the last World Cup qualifier against Namibia’s Brave Warriors presaged late arrival in Brazil, and jet-lag may have influenced their Confederations Cup results. Perhaps the Eagles entertained the distraction because they didn’t expect to win in Brazil anyway or they simply fished for excuses in the event of debilitating failure. Keshi could have handled the matter better. He must proceed with caution, otherwise, a perceived rebellious streak as player and then coach might hamper attempts to make the most of the fresh opportunity following ignominious exits from the Togo helm and Nigeria previously. For all the fan cares, issuing post-tournament admissions of error hardly suffice. Overall, Keshi’s conduct before and in Brazil confirmed my recommendation of technical help in an earlier piece to strengthen the bench and ensure continuity when he eventually vacates the post. To leave the World Cup reins, for rather convenient reasons, entirely in the former Nigeria skipper’s hands is to cultivate skewed selection, bungled substitution and a weakened campaign reminiscent of the Confederations Cup outing. Keshi’s task, in the meantime, is straightforward: fusing the triumphant 2013 Nations Cup squad and Nigeria’s best in foreign leagues with a smattering of exceptional local talent. The success of Brazil’s experiment refers. Under Mano Menezes the team played to win and not to convince, so followed the golden combination of World Cup-winning coaches Luiz Felipe Scolari (2002) and Carlos Alberto Parreira (1994) with a near-faultless selection of Brazil’s most gifted and experienced 23 at home and abroad – a dream team in charge of a fantasy team, if you like. And now, the Selecao are officially the team to beat next year, less for trouncing Spain 3-0 in the Confederations Cup final than posting a game of high intensity and flair that leaves opponents panting and fans drooling. But not even everyone’s second favourite team in full flight sours patriotic flavour. In Brazil, I insist: Nigeria can win. • Fagbemi is a staff of The Nation