By Tony Ubani
The Nigeria Football
Federation on Monday lashed
out at those giving the false
impression that Super Eagles’
Head Coach, Stephen Keshi
has never won a match at
the Africa Cup of Nations.
“This impression is not only
false and a fallacy, but is
uncalled-for on the eve of a
crucial match at the Africa
Cup of Nations,” said
Ademola Olajire, NFF’s
Assistant Director of Media.
Olajire continued: “Keshi is
not a Cup of Nations failure.
He won the Africa Cup of
Nations as a player and has
won a match at the Africa
Cup of Nations as a Coach.
Although his Togo side was
winless in Egypt in 2006,
Keshi was in charge of the
Mali National Team when
they defeated Malawi 3-1 at
the finals in Angola three
years ago.”
The NFF spokesman also
pointed out that Mali was
eliminated in the group
stage in Angola only by the
head-to-head rule. “The
Eagles of Mali came from four
goals down to draw 4-4 with
the host nation in the
tournament opening match,
and then lost 0-1 to Algeria
before beating Malawi 3-1.
The same Malawian team
had beaten Algeria 3-0. Mali
finished on four points as
Algeria and had even
healthier goals difference
than Algeria, but was
eliminated on the head-to-
head rule.”