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Tag: Stephen Keshi

  • KESHI BLASTS- Osaze disobeyed me

    KESHI BLASTS- Osaze disobeyed me

    • Eagles star didn’t play to instruction
    • Big Boss blames anxiety, impatience for Iran’s draw
    • Says Bosnia are beatable

    Super Eagles chief coach Stephen Keshi shocked his audience in Curitiba, Brazil on Monday night when he lampooned second half substitute Osaze Odemwingie for not playing to instructions in the game against Iran which ended on a barren note.

    Keshi stressed further that the players were disappointing in the Iran game just as they failed to abide by his half time suggestions that they should adopt a calmer approach to the game.

    According to Keshi: ”I disagree with those suggesting that the Eagles that played against Iran had not improved since we lifted the African Cup of Nations trophy in South Africa on February 10.

    ”Instead, I would say that anxiety and impatience ruined us. the boys wanted to finish off the game in the first 25 minutes, which was worth it given our talent. but once this didn’t happen, frustration set in, culminating in the jittery first half showing. this was the main reason why we didn’t score any goal in the game.

    Asked if he thought the goal disallowed in the first half ought to have stood, Keshi said: I wont comment on the disallowed goal. I respect the referee’s decision. My boys decided to kill off the game in the first 20 minutes. I told them from the sidelines and at half time that they needed to be calm. Why they opted for the pattern that Iran planned for us, still baffles me. But that is football for you.

    ”My boys played well except that they didn’t score goals. You are saying that Osaze did well when he came in. But I must tell you that Osaze didn’t play the role I asked him to do. The Iran game is gone and like Mikel said earlier, we would return to the drawing board to correct the mistakes made against Iran.”

    Asked if he thought the game against Bosnia would be a piece of cake, Keshi said: ” I’m convinced that Bonsians are beatable. Or is anyone here saying that the Bosnians are not beatable? We can come on Saturday and beat them. you never can tell with football. I’m not sure we played badly against Iran. I knew the way the Iranians would play and I told my players what to do. I don’t play defensive football. I won’t play the way the Iranians did when we meet Bosnia. I must also say that the Iranians were too physical against my boys,” Keshi said.

     

  • Nigerian Idol IV excites Pepsi

    Nigerian Idol IV excites Pepsi

    AS the curtains fell on the sixth season of the music TV reality show, Nigerian Idol, Pepsi, its official beverage sponsor, has expressed satisfaction over the show.

    The Head of Marketing, Seven-Up Bottling Company Plc, Mr. Norden Thurston, said: “Pepsi likes to associate with processes that evolve stars of the future; that is why we have been supporting Nigerian Idol since inception.

    “Pepsi is happy to be part of the platform that grooms future music stars in Nigeria who will be ready to take the world in few years to come. We have been supporting sports over the years and have many football brand ambassadors like Stephen Keshi, Victor Moses, Daniel Amokachi, Elderson Echiejile and Osaze Odewingie, while Pepsi music ambassadors are Tiwa Savage, Wizkid and Lynxxx.”

    Also, Femi Pedro, Managing Director of Optima Media Group, the organisers of the show, said: “Pepsi is a true partner that has been refreshing the contest from the beginning to this point.”

    Speaking shortly after emerging the winner, Zibli Evelyn, aka Evelle, shed tears of joy. “My mother is sick and currently in hospital receiving treatment. I need to see her with this happy news and I am sure it will make her get better. I have tried to enter this contest for a very long time and those who know me can testify to this. I am so happy to have won it.”

    The event also had performances from Tuface Idibia, who thrilled the audience from his rich repertoire.

    Ace comedian, Bovi, entertained with his jokes, while Moses, the season three winner of Nigerian Idol, performed his new single titled Egwu.

  • Keshi: No sentiments in selection

    Keshi: No sentiments in selection

    Nigeria coach Stephen Keshi says picking his final 23-man squad was very tough, but there were no sentiments involved.

    Keshi cut African Nations Cup hero Sunday Mba, CHAN MVP Ejike Uzoenyi, long-serving forward Obinna Nsofor, as well as midfielders Nosa Igiebor and Joel Obi, forward Nnamdi Oduamadi and goalkeeper Daniel Akpeyi.

    “This was a very tough decision to make. I wish I could have taken all 30 of them to the World Cup,” Keshi told KickOffNigeria.com.

    “They have been with us all this time and come this far and I think it’s unfortunate that not everyone can make it. But we had to do what we had to do, and we had to do it without any sentiment. I have told them to be strong and to work harder.”

    The seven cut players remained with the team until after last night’s game against Greece.

  • …Your list is biased – Sadi

    …Your list is biased – Sadi

    The President of the Association of Nigerian Footballers (APFON) Dahiru Sadi has criticised Stephen Keshi’s 23-man World Cup list.

    Sadi questioned Keshi’s choice of players from a particular player agency

    “When I saw the list I was shocked. Imagine all players from GBS player agency owned by Tony Harris were picked; Rueben Gabriel, Michael Uchebo and Uche Nwofor, while Nosa Igiebor was dropped. Unbelievable!,” he told SL10

    When reminded that Nwofor has a good strike rate in the Eagles, scoring three times in five games, the former Eckerlor of Belgium forward responded with a reminder of Bartholomew Ogbechi in 2002.

    “To me, if Nwofor is as good as most people judge him by his strike rate, why is he not a starter at Hereenveen? How come he last played for them in November 2013? Look, he reminds me so much of Ogbeche in 2002 who took the pre-World Cup friendly by storm only to get missing at the World Cup.”

    Dahiru Sadi also was unhappy with Keshi over the inclusion of Babatunde Michael at the expense of Ejike Uzoenyi.

    He said: “I gather Chigozie Agbim and Rueben Gabriel were favoured by Keshi because he started the World Cup qualifiers with them as integral members of his team, if so be it, Uzoenyi also deserve to be in the team.”

    “It’s a shame that the MVP at CHAN was dropped for a bench warmer for a modest team in Ukraine; Babatunde Michael’s inclusion is the height of Keshi’s bias in his 23-man World Cup list,” he alleged.

  • Chukwu: ‘Big Boss’ included non-footballing reasons

    Chukwu: ‘Big Boss’ included non-footballing reasons

    Former Green Eagles skipper, Christian Chukwu has pointed out that the senior national team head coach, Stephen Keshi, might have used other criteria in addition to footballing reasons in determining the 23 players he is taking to World Cup in Brazil.

    Chukwu also reckoned that the dropped players were omitted not because they were not good but because the Eagles could only register 23 players for the World Cup as stipulated by FIFA. The one-time Eagles coach said that Nigerians should support the team and Keshi in the bid to succeed in Brazil.

    “Keshi is the only one that has been with these players and knows them inside out. He must have used other factors before deciding on those to pick to represent Nigeria without causing rancour or division in the team.

    “It is not that these seven dropped players are not good but not all the 30 players could make it to Brazil. FIFA demands the registration of only 23 players and they were unfortunate not have measured up to the standards in their respective positions. They are still young and can still feature in another World Cup if they keep on working hard,” Chukwu offered.

    Keshi declared that Daniel Akpeyi, Ejike Uzoenyi, Victor Obinna Nsofor, Joel Obi, Nosa Igiebor, Sunday Mba and Nnamdi Oduamadi were surplus to requirements for the Brazil 2014 World Cup which starts in eight days’ time.

  • …Leave him alone — Babayaro

    …Leave him alone — Babayaro

    Atlanta ‘96 gold medalist and former Nigeria international, Emmanuel Babayaro, has reacted to the criticisms and arguments that have broken out since Stephen Keshi released his World Cup list.

    Babayaro in a chat with SL10 said the coach should be left alone to do his job and only if he fails should he be criticised.

    “I’m amazed at the level of debate this list has generated,” he began, “but I advise we leave Keshi alone, give him all the support he needs and only when he fails can we boldly speak about what he did wrong.”

    He continued: “Why I’m calling for caution is because Keshi has proven to us in the past that despite not being so technically or tactically sound, he has found a way of getting results. The AFCON is a good example.”

    On the exclusion of Sunday Mba, Emmanuel Babayaro insisted that there must be something that warranted his being dropped from the team admist reports his passport had expired.

    “I just heard on radio that his passport had expired and that was basically why he was dropped. I can’t vouch for how true that is but I must admit there must be something that we don’t know that led to his being dropped.”

    Nevertheless, the outspoken president of Pioneers Football Club admitted that the players selected right from the 30-man list increased doubts that the list was influenced.

    “Yes, there are one or two questions Keshi has to answer about his squad selection right from the 30-man list, we know there are some that have been listed in the first place who are heading to the World Cup at the expense of those worthy of a spot, but I insist, leave Keshi alone!”

  • Nigeria vs Greece

    Nigeria vs Greece

    Nigeria’s preparation for the Brazil 2014 FIFA World Cup will step up a notch when the Super Eagles take on the Greek national team in an international friendly in Pennsylvania, United States at the PPL Park, Chester on June 3.

    By the time the match kicks off, coach Stephen Keshi would have pruned down his 30-man squad to the final 23 that will wear Nigeria’s colours at the prestigious tournament. This means the business of preparations would have reached the end.

    It is expected that Keshi will use this game to test the core of his squad after reliables like John Obi Mikel, Vincent Enyeama and Kenneth Omeruo were left out of the 2-2 draw with Scotland at Craven Cottage last week.

    Like the proverbial shepherd tending his flock, Keshi will look to lead his charges into the game to see how far the team have come and what he needs to do in time for Nigeria’s opening Group F fixture against Iran on June 16.

    Greece are certainly no pushovers and they have continued in the same manner that saw them conquer Europe at Portugal 2004 where they stunned the World by adopting a ultra defensive formation principled by German coach, Otto Renhagel.

    Coach Fernando Santos, will look to polish his wards as they also get set for the World Cup where they will face Colombia, Ivory Coast and Japan in Group C.

     

    Previous meetings:

     

    The June 3 meeting with Greece will be the fourth time the Super Eagles will engage the Greek national team at senior level.

    Nigeria edged Greece 2-0 in 1994 at the Foxboro Stadium, United States of America in her maiden World Cup appearance. Goals from now assistant coach, Daniel Amokachi and Finidi George gave Nigeria victory on the day.

    Greece beat Nigeria 2-0 in a friendly international in November 1999 in Kilkis with Nikos Machlas scoring both goals. The last time the two teams met, Nigeria lost 2-1 to the Greeks at the FIFA World Cup in South Africa, where a certain Sani Kaita got sent off as Greece rallied back from a goal down to beat Nigeria.

     

    Last internationals:

     

    Nigeria played out a gritty 2-2 draw with Scotland and Fulham’s Craven Cottage where the Super Eagles had to come twice from behind to claim a late draw.

    Keshi started the game with a second string side and must have seen enough for him to decipher what needs to be done to make his players as cohesive as he would want them to be.

    Goals from Michael Uchebo and Uche Nwofor late on salvaged a draw for the Super Eagles. The team were brilliant in patches and Keshi will surely want a wholesome consistent game from his players when they play Greece.

    Santos’ wards played out a goalless draw with Portugal last Sunday in an international friendly towards the World Cup.

    Greece did not create enough to trouble the Portuguese who rested Cristiano Ronaldo and Real Madrid defender Pepe.

    Santos went with a lone striker upfront as Fulham striker Kostas Mitroglou struggled to get into the game and made minimal impact in the game. Surely the Portuguese coach will look to re-invigorate his team to be more offensive in the game against Nigeria.

     

    Team news:

     

    Greece could be without defender Sokratis Papastathopoulos who suffered a biceps injury during the Portugal and remains sidelined for several days.

    Captain Giorgios Karagounis might start the game against Nigeria after coming on as a substitute against Portugal and providing some spark in midfield.

    Nwofor sat out Nigeria’s training session on Sunday but looks to be okay now and will continue training with the main squad.

    Keshi might string in some of his regular players after he left out a bevy of his regular starters against Scotland.

     

    Key players:

     

    Greece:

    Giorgios Karagounis:

    Leader of the pack, captain of the team and with 132 caps, one of the most experienced internationals heading to the 2014 World Cup.

    A workaholic midfielder who plays his trade in England with Fulham, he is the bridge between the old 2004 Euro winning team and the new generation. Very good at set pieces and can score from long range shots.

     

    Sokratis Papastathopoulos:

    The Borussia Dortmund defender is a doubt for this game but is the crown prince of Greek football, a honour usually reserved for midfielders or strikers.

    The powerfully built 25-year-old is the main man in defence for Santos, and Greek fans will hope he overcomes his injury worries as he looks to shut out Super Eagles strikers.

     

    Kostas Mitroglou:

    The Fulham forward did not exactly light up the Premiership after his £11 million move from Olympiakos last summer.

    However, Santos has kept faith with the German -born Greek striker, and will rely on him to cause damage against Nigeria.

    NIGERIA

     

    Vincent Enyeama:

    Vice captain of the Super Eagles and first choice goalkeeper since Keshi took over in late 2011.

    A good shot-stopper. The 31-year-old has been class for his French Ligue 1 side, Lille Metropole, as they clinched a UEFA Champions League slot as was duly voted the African Footballer of the Year in France.

     

    Ogenyi Onazi:

    Diminutive yet combative midfielder, who plies his trade in Italy with SS Lazio, was influential in midfield as Nigeria clinched the Africa Cup of Nations last year. One of the first names on Keshi’s team list.

     

    Victor Moses:

    The Chelsea winger did not have a good season on loan at Liverpool but on his day can create havoc for any team with his pace and trickery.

    Moses will hope to do well at the World Cup to kick-start his career and the Greece game is surely another opportunity to stake a claim for a starting berth in Brazil.

  • Dzeko warns Eagles

    Dzeko warns Eagles

    • Scores brace against Drogba, others

    Checkmating of Edin Dzeko may be the beginning of wisdom for Stephen Keshi and his boys when Nigeria takes on Bosnia, June 21 in Brazil.  The 28-year -old Man City forward hinted what is likely to do at the World Cup late Friday when he grabbed a brace against hard-fighting Cote d Ivoire in a an international friendly played at the  Edward Jones Dome (St Louis, Missouri), USA.

    Dzeko was on target in the 17th minute of the match and again in 53rd minute after enjoying an assist from teammate Mirale Pjanic.

    The Bosnians held their lead and command till the end of 90 minutes.  It was only in the first minute of added time that Didier Drogba managed to get a consolation goal for the Ivoirians.  The Galatasaray forward and former Chesea ace was introduced in the 63rd minute in place of Lacina Toure.

    The result could pass for   a confidence-boosting win for Bosnia, who have been pitched against Argentina, Nigeria and Iran in Group F in their first-ever World Cup appearance.

    Safet Susic’s men had lost their last two competitive games prior to Friday’s fixture but believe they now head into Tuesday’s friendly against Mexico full of confidence.

    Dzeko who has made over 108 appearances for Premier league champions Man City with 46 goals to show for it, has also made 61 appearances for Bosnia senior team scoring 35 goals in the bargain.   The former Wolfsburg ace will lead Bosnia out against Argentina June 15 in Rio De Janeiro in their opening match.

    The second match will be against Super Eagles of Nigeria while the last group match will be against Iran in Salvador.

     

  • MY WORLD CUP DREAMS

    MY WORLD CUP DREAMS

    Twenty-one year old Volyn Lutsk of ukraine midfielder, Michael babatunde has a tall dream; that of joining Stephen keshi’s 23-man gang to Brazil. He speaks with MORAKINYO ABODUNRIN about his dreams and aspirations

    BABATUNDE Michael is not only praying to make a dream World Cup debut with the Super Eagles, he is equally relishing the prospect of meeting the legendary Lionel Messi.

    He could achieve both dreams at the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil since Nigeria is grouped along with Iran, Bosnia& Herzegovina and Argentina.  But Michael, like other teammates battling it out in the Super Eagles’ training camp in Atlanta, will have to wait till June 2 to know if he gets Coach Stephen Keshi’s nod for the world’s greatest showpiece in the land of the Samba.

    “I have always been a big fan of Lionel Messi; he’s my all-time inspiration,”Babatunde told The Nation Sport & Style through an electronic conversation. “While I was in Nigeria, I was called African Messi by some of my friends because of my left feet. I watched Messi whenever he played in Barcelona in order for me to pick one or two things in his style; yes, it’s working well for me.

    “I have developed one of the few things I have learnt so far. I got inspiration from Messi and it will be a big achievement playing at the world Cup with Messi. I have it as a dream, but I am also praying to God to make it possible for me to fly and be able to achieve a good result against Argentina.

    “I still have a long way to go in order to be an average player to Messi. I learn every day, I develope everyday and great things do come to me every day. I just need to be focused, which I am already doing.

    “I see Messi as an inspiration to so many youngsters coming in the future. I am not in the same category with Messi but I believe with hard work, I can get to the top of my career. For the fact that I love him and I chose to learn from him, would help my career,” he noted as he spoke further on his transformation from a fan of the Super Eagles to a World Cup potential player. Excerpts.

    Life as Super Eagles player

    I have grown better as a player and person since I made my dream debut for the Super Eagles. It came at the best time of my career. Super Eagles career has been wonderful because I have been able to see some of the players I used to watch on TV. I knew some of them, some were my friends while I was dreaming of playing along some players but Coach Stephen  Keshi made all dreams of achieving Super Eagles career come true when I was unexpectedly first invited. While I was with Karparty FC in Ukraine, my club coach then had told me about a quality I had never noticed in myself. At a conference, I was commended and pointed out that I have what it takes to be in any team because I was still a raw material for any coach. I never knew until I was invited to the Super Eagles camp, mixing up with my senior colleagues and I was thrilled the day coach Keshi told me at a training session that I should keep on trying more on my skills. He was satisfied and encouraged me on how I can easily maintain the top lane. My life has changed tremendously as a national team player and I am very proud about it

    Confederations Cup challenge

    Keshi has one attribute that is not common with many African coaches – the act of giving players self confidence. After dialogue with me at a t training session, I had the opportunity to be in a hotel room with Austin Ejide who used to be my mentor in the team. I told Ejide what the coach told me at the training ground and Ejide also told me the coach was right; that I am player who could give more than what I was doing. I felt worried, I was jittery but he advised me a lot on how to play for the Super Eagles and how I can easily develope under Keshi. What Keshi told me was exactly what I was doing ever since and he noticed it, so I stuck to my style and it worked for me. Keshi is not my coach but a father figure to so many young players home and abroad. And that was how I got my chance to prove myself in Brazil, but the coach still knows much by allowing me to under-study on the bench. But still I could not do enough at the competition before we crashed out.

    At every competition, you learn both as a team or player. We have learnt our mistakes and I believe it would be corrected. We were determined to prove a lot at the Confederations Cup but we were not lucky enough to achieve our dreams but that does not mean we can’t fly in Brazil again. Confederations Cup is a big lesson for us to go back home and do our home work which we have done and are ready for the world.

    Life with Super Eagles big boys

    In the Super Eagles, we are one in-house; I don’t have a caucus, I mingle with everybody and they see me as a brother, though I have friends in the team and I also give respect to some whom deem fit. This is family-team, we see ourselves as friends and brothers. I am talking from my own perspective because I know what kind of relationships I have gotten from some the big boys and it makes it easier.

    His future with Super Eagles

    I am here in the team today because I am gathering experience for the future. There is structure in this Super Eagles team, and going by what the coach is doing right now, the youngsters today will be the players of tomorrow, only if there is continuity both in the technical crew and the FA. I am not eager to impress the world but I am hoping to keep my consistency alive in the team. Only consistency will make me better in the team and I am working hard to get to remain in the team for long. I am poised to serve like Daniel Amokachi, George Finidi, Emmanuel Amuneke and a host of other great players.

    About his coaches

    That aspect can be attributed to the will of God. At every point in time, my agent always told me to be as humble as I can and listen to my coaches because they were the messiahs at that time. They make you a greater player or mess up with your career. I have been able to listen and enjoy life under some coaches in my career so far. A player of my calibre still has a long way to go and such can either be positive or negative depending on attitude and approach. I am a positive thinker. I love to learn because I gain from learning. I do ask questions whenever I think it’s necessary. I don’t feel shy to ask my opponent questions to excel because my career lies on the pitch and I must always live as an ambitious player. Players like Arjen Robben have learnt from great players in the past, and today people like me look at his playing style. It’s a great thing to learn because you will develop with time. So my coaches always want me because I always come for their advice and take it.

    Eyes on Brazil

    This is the most challenging time for almost half of the players; there is no guaranteed shirt for any player. Just as I want to be there, every other player wants to be there too, but the coach’s decision is final. It will be joyful to be part of the final squad to go to Brazil for the World Cup. I have a dream to pursue in the team and I believe going to Brazil with this talented squad could say more about my career. I just have to concentrate on my fitness right now and look forward to God’s favour because it’s only the grace of God, not anything; but I am working hard to convince the coach I am ready to go.

  • Keshi inspires us, say Eagles’ stars

    Keshi inspires us, say Eagles’ stars

    Several members of the Nigeria national team have identified the influence of head coach, Stephen Keshi as one of the main reasons the Super Eagles have recorded remarkable successes in recent years.

    Since taking the reins from Samson Siasia in 2011, Keshi has overseen an admirable change in fortune of the Super Eagles.

    Nigeria won the 2013 Afcon under the astute management of Keshi, after failing to qualify for the previous edition in Gabon and Equatorial Guinea in 2012.

    The Super Eagles then qualified for the 2014 FIFAWorld Cup in Brazil with relative ease and stars of the team like Shola Ameobi and Victor Moses have now identified Keshi as the man who makes things happen.

    “Even before I made my debut (for Nigeria), I had heard all about him (Keshi). He’s a legend and one of the best coaches I have worked with,” Shola Ameobi told Fifatv.

    Chelsea winger,Moses described Keshi as a “father figure” who commands the respect of all of the squad.

    “He’s a huge figure. He’s very inspirational as a manager and that’s how he was even as a player.

    “I remember watching him at the 1994 World Cup. He gave everything he had whenever he wore that green and white shirt.

    “He’s a father figure to us. We are happy to play under him because he never stops encouraging us,” he said.

    Keshi is humbled by the kind words directed towards him by his charges and insists he will always make sacrifices to protect and guide his players.

    “Whatever I can do to encourage them (players), I will do that.

    “We must always help each other. If they see me as a father figure, that’s nice but I see it as a duty to always help my players whenever I can,” he said.

    Nigeria will compete in Group F of the FIFA World Cup alongside Iran, Bosnia-Herzegovina and one of the pre-tournament favourites, Argentina.

    The Super Eagles will begin their 2014 World Cup preparations with a friendly game against Scotland at Craven Cottage tonight.