“I am not in a hurry to submit the list. First, the report was that I was to submit 40 names. Now I am hearing it is 35 names. I will only submit a list of 30 players when I am ready” – Stephen Keshi.
Fellow Nigerians, wahala dey, like we say in local parlance and I remember when I stated earlier that the way Nigeria is preparing for the World Cup, we are courting disaster especially Coach Stephen Keshi’s brewing feud and open confrontation with his employers. The feud between Stephen Keshi and the technical committee of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has degenerated after the coach refused to submit a provisional list of 35 players for the World Cup.
Recall about two weeks ago, Keshi was invited by the same committee to submit his provisional list which he declined while proceeding to attend a sponsor’s event on the same day in Lagos.
The NFF has since queried him and the way it seems, like I stated earlier wahala dey and somebody up there in the Presidency should quickly intervene or the impending disaster may finally explode even before the team leaves for San Paulo in Brazil.
The signals are all so clear, danger signals as it is. Nigeria is the only country going to the World Cup where the Coach and his employers are at war over preparations for a major tournament like this.
The NFF as it seems is not lying low and have rolled out its entire arsenal to get back at the big boss. He was accused of embarking on an unapproved vacation in America, he has failed to reply the query his employers gave to him even as last week elapsed without the announcement of the provisional list of 35 players.
Keshi has also hit back at the Barrister Christopher Green led technical committee that he was not in a hurry to submit the provisional list but rather accused the committee of mounting undue pressure on him on the deadline on when to submit the list even as he accused the committee of not following the right channel as he only read in the media that he was to submit a 35 man squad provisional list.
By May 26, the Super Eagles will regroup in London two days before a friendly match against Scotland at Craven Cottage; the team will also play two friendly matches against the USA and Greece in America before leaving for Brazil on June 11. This will be the Eagles fifth appearance at the World’s most glamorous competition and Nigerians have continued to express concern why this sudden face-off between Keshi and his employers.
It is even more worrisome when the media has tried to draw the attention of the big boss of the challenge his team is bound to face at Brazil on his stand to drop some players considered as “not loyal to the big boss”.
It is further obvious that with less than 70 days to the kick-off of the World Cup, the technical sub committee of the NFF and the coach do not have any fair knowledge of the country’s starting eleven and there has been no understanding for the need to agree on the inclusions whenever Keshi decides to name his squad.
While other managers are busy preparing set targets for the World Cup, our coach spends more time far away in the United States of America, away from his technical assistants as it is expected that they should be working as a team assessing tapes of their opponents qualifying games and plotting strategies to counter them.
Keshi had earlier stated that he had not set targets for the World Cup despite leading the team for a fifth appearance, played at the Confederations Cup last year and will storm Brazil as African Champions.
His well documented issues with Ikechukwu Uche and Osaze Odemwingie have been in the spotlight and the crux of his present challenge as Nigerians have called for their inclusion into the team even after apologies must have been tendered to him.
Keshi’s experimental processes have failed to convince football followers of the national team as there are widespread concerns that with about two months, the shape, tactics and strengths of the team should be taking finishing touches.
Keshi’s present attitude also reflects on his relationship with his technical assistants, Daniel “the Bull” Amokachi, Ike Shorunmu who seem to remain loyal to the big boss and let him call the shots.
The present rift between Keshi and the NFF is much uncalled for and the big boss should learn to act the role of a big model which he stands for so that the younger generation could emulate his virtues of the field.
Managing success is not all about oneself and the success of the national team would be a collective will to succeed. Superior argument may over shadow your thoughts and beliefs in your approach to games and that is what makes a good manager outstanding.
When things go wrong this way, the role played by former sports minister, Bolaji Abdulahi comes to play as the man who ran a crisis free but very productive era of the Super Eagles.
It was Bolaji Abdulahi who intervened in Keshi’s earlier bluff to resign after winning the Nations Cup last year. It was the former sports minister who stepped in to end an untimely row which could have affected the Eagles appearance at the Confederations Cup and it was Bolaji Abdulahi who set up a committee that constituted the code of conduct which the team presently abides with.
The new sports minister, a green horn on the terrain may not realize the passion Nigerians love spirits especially football and the expectations of over 180 million people who will stay up late on each match day to cheer their teams to victory.
One good decision Keshi had made is that there will not be any fresh faces in his team list as he rest his faith in the squad he has been building in the past two years.
He should realize that there is so much at stake even for himself finally appearing at the World Cup despite the missed opportunity once with Nigeria and Togo of an appearance. He must build on the success story he has achieved despite the criticism to his playing patterns.
Stephen Keshi should realize that the World Cup is not a personal assignment, but a national and continental project as the Eagles are poised to bring glory to Nigerians and Africans in general with their performance at the World Cup in Brazil.
It will be an opportunity to stake the best legs for the country and not a tourist opportunity for half fit players whose average skills and qualities may lead the country on the path of shame at an event where history favours the nation. Let us pray this unnecessary rift passes us by for greater unity in the team.
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