Stephen Keshi, Super Eagles head coach has never been one to shy away from challenges. He is focused, determined and prepared to do it his way. After all, he has a glowing record going into the world cup. He was the coach who led the way for Togo’s qualification to the African staged world cup in South Africa, four years ago. Politics played a major role and he didn’t fulfil his dream of coaching the team at the competition.
Stephem Keshi got his chance with his country of birth, Nigeria whom he once captained. In spite of its challeges, intrigues and politics, he was able to navigate his team through the qualifying stages and became a hero by winning African Cup of Nations, Africa’s equivalent of UEFA European Championship.
It would be recalled that the Super Eagles started rather disappointingly in this year’s African Cup of Nations, but with every game, they gathered pace and confidence. Noting, the African championship is not in the same league as the world cup, Nigeria embarked on a number of friendlies en route Brazil and it must be said that the fanatical and highly demanding football crazy Nigerians aren’t impressed and have practically ruled them out of the competition even before a ball has been kicked, particularly after their last match against the US which the Eagles lost 1-2.
Nigeria’s Stephen Keshi
Sports Vanguard sought the views of the head coach on the state of the team which takes on Iran on Monday.Worrisome was the unco-ordinated midfield, a somewhat confusing defence formation and a lack of rhythm in the Eagles attack. The team was in shambles, as the US players ran rings around them and Altidore, the two-goal hero on the night mesmerized. Nigerians watched helplessly.
Keshi was economical in his expression as he simply said, “no shaking,” meaning there is no cause for alarm. He insisted that the results from the friendly matches should not be used as yardsticks for measuring the level of preparedness of his team.
“We are in Brazil for serious business. Friendlies are meant to serve as rehearsals. They are different from competitive matches. This is not an excuse for our performance in the matches, but seriously speaking, the results do not mean anything to me, Evaluate us in the World Cup.”
