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Those who sacked Keshi had the power to do so – Chukwu
Posted by: Adeyinka Adedipe
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Former national team coach, Christian Chukwu, has said that the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) had the power to sack Stephen Keshi, saying it was the NFF that employed him in the first place.
Chukwu, who said he would not want to be seen as someone who hates the embattled coach, noted that the NFF must have given the decision proper consideration before carrying it out.
“I will only say that those who gave Keshi the job in the first place are the ones who fired him and I am sure they have the power to do so before taking the decision.”
The former coach of Rangers of Enugu said the NFF must have made an arrangement to replace the sacked coach, warning that the NFF board would be sacked if the decision adversely affects football in the country.
“Again, I am sure that the NFF must have made good arrangement on who will take over the job. We don’t want any vacuum to be created because we know it will be to the detriment of the game in the country. So, the Glass House must appoint a coach because they will also be booted out if football slides in the country,” Chukwu added.
He also called on the NFF to appoint a quality coach that would develop football and other coaches in the country. “With Keshi’s sack, we have to get a coach that has quality, one that can take Nigerian football to the next level and ensure that the game becomes better,” the former Harambee Stars’ coach noted.
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thenationonlineng.net/new/those-who-sacked-keshi-had-the-power-to-do-so-chukwu/

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Brown Shares Selfie with Pocognoli After Training
Posted by: Chijioke Ezeali
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Nigerian international Brown Ideye took time out after a long, hard training with his English Premier League (EPL) side West Brom to retweet a selfie with teammate Sébastien Pocognoli.
The Baggiesare currently in Austria preparing for the start of the 2015/16 EPL season where they are billed to host former Champions Manchester City in their first game of the season.
‘Relaxing after a very hard day with my man @OfficialIdeye,’ Pocognoli tweeted.
Ideye was dropped from the Nigerian national team to the 2014 World Cup after helping the Super Eagles to win the 2013 African Nations Cup in South Africa, but he has an opportunity to fight for a return to the national team after the NFF on Saturday night fired the man who blacklisted him from the team – Coach Stephen Keshi.
West Brom enjoyed a massive turn-round last season following the employment of former Stoke City boss Tony Pulis as they leapt out of relegation zone to finish the season 13th with 44 points.
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thenationonlineng.net/new/brown-shares-selfie-with-pocognoli-after-training/

Former Nigeria senior national team handler Johannes Bonfrere has made a passionate call to the NFF to appoint a foreign coach as next Super Eagles’ coach.

Stephen Keshi was shown the exit door by the Nigeria Football Federation on Saturday evening for lack of commitment to achieve the federation’s objectives.

According to the Dutchman who led the country’s U23 football team to win the 1996 Olympics football event said only a foreign tactician can help the Super Eagles back to the peak again.

“I think the NFF need to hire a foreign coach to take charge of the Super Eagles,” Bonfrere told Completesportsnigeria.com.

“The Super Eagles have failed to make much impact since they won the African Cup of Nations in 2013 and it has to do with the inability of the coaches to take the team to new heights.

“Personally, I don’t think Stephen Keshi have what it takes to take the team beyond where they are now.

“So the decision made by the NFF to sack him was the right one.

“The next task before them now is to carefully look for a capable foreign coach that can help improve the performance of the team.”

Swede’s Lars Lagerbäck who led Nigeria to the 2010 Fifa World Cup in South Africa was the last expatriate to handle the country’s senior national football team.


http://m.goal.com/x/en-ng/news/13348442

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Keshi: Have Nigeria finally seen the back of the Big Boss?
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The NFF have ended their association with the Super Eagles coach, but there are enough loose ends to suggest the exorcism of Nigerian football's poltergeist is not yet complete.
By Solace Chukwu
There is something surreal in the fact that, following the news of Stephen Keshi's sacking, the immediate response was: “For real this time?” It is apt, of course, considering that the Big Boss has been fused at the hip with the NFF, a burdensome conjoined twin, eternally at cross-purposes.
The severance could hardly be messier, but it had to be done. This is an outcome for which neither party is without blame, but also neither party’s action could be faulted entirely.
In submitting the application for the Cote d’Ivoire job – whether he did so by himself or by proxy is not relevant; there was an indication of interest, and it bore his name – Keshi essentially burned the candle at both ends. However, there is enough here for reasonable doubt, even though there is no grand jury to convince or convict.
There are two possibilities here: either, in handing in his application, Keshi banked on the insularity of the process to maintain cover; or he did so fully aware that it would get out, and could not be bothered with the terrible repercussion(s).
Keshi |The Big Boss has burned his bridges...
Keshi is a lot of things (not all of them pleasant), but he is by no means a naïve man. Applying on the down-low and assuming his identity would remain a secret seems way too jejune to be credible.
On the other hand, if he was aware it could get out, and was willing to do so just the same, it raises the tantalizing question: what did he expect would be the ultimate outcome?
Never mind the public back-clapping and conciliatory tone of Amaju Pinnick at his contract signing; Keshi is in bad odour with the NFF and knows it. He is well aware that they only seek the slightest opportunity to give him the boot, and he pretty much cobbled together the leather needed.
This makes little sense, especially considering there were no guarantees regarding the Ivorian job to begin with. A bird in the hand, and all that.
The action in itself contravenes no known labour law, and is not a direct breach of contract as far as I know. Keshi is well within his right to apply for any job at any time. That said, all things are lawful, but not all things are expedient. It was hardly a mole-hill, but all the NFF really needed was a yam heap.
So, if he knew this could jeopardise his position if it came out, why go ahead and do it? What could he stand to gain?
Reports from his camp have been to the effect that he has not been served notice of his sack, and that he plans to challenge the decision on the grounds stated. He could rightly take the NFF to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) for unlawful termination, but what would be a favourable outcome? Forced reinstatement? It is unlikely that he really wants that, unless there is a twisted masochistic bent in his psyche we are as yet unaware of.
Financial redress? By virtue of his sack, he already is due a healthy severance, with two years left to run on his contract, especially considering it is not on the grounds of grievous misconduct.
Was Keshi ever a genuine contender for the Ivorian job?
Keshi’s end-game remains unclear, and there are tell-tale signs that this soap opera is far from over. Like the wizened, fanged Dracula, the Big Boss returns time and again to feed at the neck of Nigerian football, draining the vital force and leaving behind faint ennui. His hunger is perpetuated by immortality; this is a man for whom many a dirge has been sung, but whose shadow continues to loom.
So, by all means, rejoice if you have a mind to do so. The NFF have redressed their error in reappointing Keshi – we will no longer have to endure players from non-league clubs in the national teams; the Super Eagles can begin to play as a unit greater than the aggregate of its discordant parts; the pall of incoherence and tactical stolidity is lifted; the day has dawned and the land is healed.
However, if you are of the more cynical persuasion, you will do well to remain circumspect and sober. There are loose ends aplenty, and an unresolved plotline. This one is far from over, and like every good horror tale, just when the question is asked, "Is (s)he/it gone?" there usually follows a paroxysm of mayhem.
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m.goal.com/x/en-ng/news/13328352

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Keshi's Personal Failings Led to His Tragic Fall
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By Prof Patrick Omo-Osagie Stephen Keshi is the definition of a Greek tragedy – “a play in which the protagonist, usually a man of importance and outstanding personal qualities, falls to disaster through the combination of a personal failing and circumstances with which he cannot deal,” according to the online Free Dictionary.
Keshi is a man of importance in the history of Nigerian football. I even argued on his behalf in 2010 (50th anniversary of Nigeria’s independence) that he was the football player worthy of national honours for his contribution to the development of Nigerian professional footballers.
He was also the captain that took us to the promised land of the elusive World Cup in 1994. His importance to our football, I hope, is not in doubt. A long serving captain at a time the national team played really good (ranked 4th in the world) and enjoyable football.
I do not know Keshi personally, but I do know that he has leadership skills; the way he motivated teams that he played on, local clubs, European clubs and the national teams both as player and coach. If anyone thinks that the “magic” of winning the AFCON in 2013 was because he had great tactical understanding of the game, you will be mistaken.
He won that championship because he was able to convince and then motivate players to reach a height that the players did not know they had in them.
As important and outstanding as he has been in Nigerian football, he has also always been a lightning rod. Keshi was the first Nigerian player to be banned from not just the national team but from the Nigerian league.
The country tried to take away his livelihood; he was not expected to survive. But survive he did and he beat the odds to become the leader and face of Nigerian football professionals in Europe.
On his return to the national team and as captain, Keshi became the leader of what was known as the “Benin Mafia”. He is believed to have had almost all control on players in the national team. Rumour has it that total obedience to him was absolutely necessary to survive in the national team of his days.
In Keshi’s return as national coach, the word arrogance has been associated with him. He has remained the lightning rod that he was in his younger days.
He has lost head coaching jobs in two other African countries – Togo and Mali. Just like he has done in Nigeria, he was also very successful with the two countries but was eventually pushed out.
Poor Keshi, what is it in your character that does not allow you to fulfill your desires?
Coach Keshi’s present circumstance was not the right one for him. He was a haunted man. A man that the people want to set on fire cannot dab himself in inflammable oil.
He resigned, he came back, he was fired, he was reinstated, now he is fired again and I hope that this time this football tragedy, a Greek tragedy has finally come to an end.
This NFF never wanted him and his personal failings of testing the ‘elastic band’ to its limit has finally snapped. Do not cry for Keshi, because he has done well for himself, and he only has himself to blame.
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m.goal.com/x/en-ng/news/13351292

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Ahmed Musa set to captain Super Eagles
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AfricanFootball.com has understood that Ahmed Musa has been lined up to be the next captain of Nigeria when Vincent Enyeama is stripped of the captaincy.
Enyeama faces Eagles ban
Lille goalkeeper Enyeama is expected to be dropped as the country’s skipper after his recent act of indiscipline when on national team duty.
The CSKA Moscow forward Ahmed Musa led the Super Eagles when they faced South Africa in a friendly earlier this year.
The former Flying Eagles star made his international debut against Madagascar in 2011 in Calabar and he has half a century of caps now.
A top official informed AfricanFootball.com besides his seniority in the national team, his comportment on and off the pitch has been exemplary.
At only 22, he will be one of the youngest players ever to lead the country’s team.
The jet-heeled winger or forward featured at the 2013 AFCON which Nigeria won in South Africa and scored twice against Argentina at last year’s World Cup in Brazil.
By Arafat Aliu
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africanfootball.com//news/542553/Ahmed-Musa-set-to-captain-Super-Eagles

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Keshi dug his own grave - Gara Gombe
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Former Gombe State Football Association chairman Shaibu Gara Gombe has told AfricanFootball. com coach Stephen Keshi was the architect of his own dismissal.
Keshi out, Amodu in
On Saturday, Keshi's contract was summarily terminated by the Nigeria Football Federation following findings and recommendations of a disciplinary committee hearing led by Chris Green.
The NFF disciplinary committee last week engaged on a fact finding mission to unravel how Coach Stephen Keshi's name got into the list of wanted coaches for the top job in Ivory Coast.
"I am not shocked at the decision of the NFF to sack Keshi," stated Gara Gombe.
"From the beginning I told Keshi as a friend not to accept the NFF contract when it was offered him. For God sake that contract was enough to tell you that you are not needed. Whether or not Keshi applied for the job, he dog his grave by himself"
Gara added,"Keshi himself knows that the NFF president Amaju Pinnick doesn't like him, Keshi knows that Chris Green is his number enemy in the NFF and he still went head to take the job.
“So I am sorry but he got what he bargain for. However, I don't think the appearance of his name for the Cote d’Ivoire job is enough to get him sacked. The simple truth is that the NFF never wanted Keshi."
By Arafat Aliu
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africanfootball.com/news/542517/Keshi-dug-his-own-grave-Gara-Gombe

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Enyeama may have played his last game for Nigeria - official
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Nigeria captain Vincent Enyeama may have played his last game for his country if the recommendations of the NFF disciplinary committee are anything to go by.
Top officials of the NFF have informed AfricanFootball.com the Eagles captain may lose his captaincy following his utterances on the safety of Kaduna before a recent Nigeria vs Chad Africa Cup of Nations qualifier in the northern Nigeria city.
NFF must come down hard on Enyeama
"The federation is not happy with the Eagles captain. And I am sorry to say if the leadership decided to follow the recommendations of the disciplinary committee to the letter, then maybe Vincent Enyeama may have played his last game for the Super Eagles,” said one official.
"Even if he is recalled to the national team, he may no longer wear the captain’s armband because the NFF view his actions before and after the game against Chad as bad example for other players, also he didn't show up for the disciplinary committee hearing."
The official added: "You see what has happened to Keshi, it’s the disciplinary committee's recommendations so if Enyeama escaped their recommendations, then it must be a divine intervention."
Enyeama was first capped in 2001 and he is now the most capped Nigeria star with 101 appearances.
By Arafat Aliu
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africanfootball.com/news/542512/Enyeama-may-have-played-his-last-game-for-Nigeria-official

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Nigeria: Toro Urges NFF to Employ Top Grade Coach
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By Mike Oboh
Former Secretary General of the Nigeria Football Association, Alhaji Ahmed Sani Toro has advised the Nigeria football federation to immediately engage a seasoned foreign coach to tinker the Super Eagles.
Toro, who spoke with Daily Trust in a telephone interview yesterday, said he has no sympathy for sacked coach, Stephen Okechukwu Keshi, as he did not heed to his advice not to seek reengagement following the present board termination of his contract in the aftermath of Nigeria's failure to qualify for the last edition of the Africa Cup of Nations
"I advised him long time ago and he did not listen and now that it has happened my advice to the federation is get a good replacement immediately so that we don't create any gap in our qualification issue.
"The earlier they get a substantive coach the better for Nigeria football. Time is not on our side with the nations' cup qualifying matches around the corner," the former Bauchi State commissioner of sports said.
Toro, who believes the nation has what it takes to hire a top grade coach, said the federation can tap into its sponsorship package to pay the entitlement.
"For the time being whether you like it or not we need to have a local coach to hold brief but for the foreign coach the federation should go for the best man for the job, someone who has the pedigree, who is highly respected and not an ordinary coach because Nigeria need to have a coach with high calibre as she is not a small country.
"With all the resources at our disposal we should be able to hire a quality foreign coach; the sponsorship package is there for them to tap from to pay the coach his entitlement," he noted.
He also kicked against suggestions to draft the Federation's Technical Director Amodu Shaiubu to head the Eagles' technical crew.
The NFF Executive Committee on Saturday sacked Keshi, saying the decision was made, "having thoroughly reviewed the reports/findings of the NFF Disciplinary Committee and NFF Technical and Development Committee, as well as having reviewed the actions and inactions of Mr. Stephen Keshi, in the performance of his duties as Super Eagles' Head Coach, which we found to lack the required commitment to achieve the Federation's objectives as set out in the Coach's employment contract."
In the interim, the Super Eagles' team affairs will be jointly managed by Assistant Coach, Salisu Yusuf and the Technical Directorate of the NFF headed by Coach Shuaibu Amodu, until the Federation names in due course a new Head Coach.
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allafrica.com/stories/201507062773.html?viewall=1

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Nigeria: Why NFF Must Revamp Grassroots Football
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opinion
By Chibuike Chukwu
Lagos — The first objective for any football association in line with FIFA Status is developing the game. Developing the game, which is trough organization of under-aged tournaments and grassroots, gives the national association the opportunity of not only discovering talents but also turning them into big stars.
FIFA in leading the way came up with the Under-17 and Under-20 World Cups meant to give the future stars the needed exposure. This should be the cardinal principle of any football development programme.
As a testimony to the above, the likes Diego Maradona, Lionel Messi, Sergie Aguero, Paul Pogba, Mikel Obi, Andre Iniesta, azmong others have all announced their arrival at the world stage via the U-20 World Cup.
At the Nigeria scene, players such Tarila Okorowanta, Samson Siasia, Etim Esin, Stephen Keshi, Andrew Uwu, the Olukanmi brothers, Joseph Yobo have also announced their arrival at the global stage through the U-20 tournament.
However, the recent poor performance of Nigeria's age-group teams and couple with the dwindling fortunes of the country's football generally have made experts to call for the revamping of grassroots football competitions, which threw up so many stars of yesteryears.
They underscored the necessity to revisit the period where inter-school, inter-state football and tournaments, Principal Cups across the country were organised, recalling that some of the nation's revered stars were discovered through such tournaments.
For example, the Mock Nations Cup competition in Ajegunle area of Lagos was stirred by the 1980 Africa Cup of Nations that was hosted and won by Nigeria. The competition, which served as a breeding ground for football talents, produced many players for the national teams in the past.
Some of the talents the Mock Nations Cup produced include Siasia, Emmanuel Amunike, Henry Nwosu, Ebitimi Collins, Jonathan Akpoberie, Tarila Okorowanta, Ifeanyi Udeze, Gabriel Okolosi, Wahid Akanni and Yusuf Ayila, among others.
But according to founder of the grassroots competition, Lawrence Alabrah, the tournament, which enjoyed sponsorship from corporate organisations and well-meaning Nigerians in the past, now struggled to get sponsors and survive.
Abarah said: "Initially, when it started, we had no sponsor, but as the profile of the tournament increased, it attracted sponsors from the corporate world and well-meaning Nigerians.
"Companies like 7up, Nigeria Breweries, Cowbell and others sponsored the competition before the immediate past Lagos State Gov. Raji Fashola supported us massively in the 2011 edition."
Apart from the Mock Nations Cup, there is also the NNPC/Shell Cup, which is principally for secondary schools across the country.
Among the stars that rose to stardom through the NNPC/Shell Cup include Ambrose Vanzekin and Chinedu Ogbuke, who both won Silver for Nigeria at the 2005 FIFA U-20 World Cup and at the Beijing Olympics in 2008.
There is also Femi Opabunmi, Ejike Uzoenyi and Ibrahim Ajani. In all, the NNPC/Shell Cup has produced over 20 stars that have risen to the peak of their careers. The competition is, however, still going strong, while Mock Nations Cup, which brought so many stars of the game, has virtually died.
Regrettably also, the Youth Sports Federation of Nigeria (YUSFON) is also virtually dead. This is one completion that accounted for unending supply of talents to the national teams, especially the under aged teams.
According to Super Falcons and Delta Queens midfielder, Halimatu Ayinde, "I am a product of YUSFON and today, such precious legacy is left suffering neglect.
"I cannot but regret the situation at YUSFON. We are all sad, but I will support grassroots football the little I can.
"It is obvious that YUSFON is underfunded and not getting the required attention for it to continue churning out stars for the country."
There is also the Principals Cup, which threw up current Super Eagles Coach, Stephen Keshi, Henry Nwosu (MON) into limelight.They participated at the championship with Saint Finbarr's College, Yaba, Lagos in 1979.
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To be continued in the next post...

Continue from the last post...
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Nigeria: Why NFF Must Revamp Grassroots Football
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..........While the competition serves only Lagos State secondary schools, it is pertinent to make it a national tourney for all the nooks and cranny of the country to be covered. This is where the Federal Government should come in and ensure that tax holidays are given to private sector to come in and widen the scope of this kind of game.
Former Super Eagles captain, Henry Nwosu, in an interview, said: "The player that can consign Barcelona forward, Lionel Messi, to the bench is on the street playing. Believe me, there are very good talents wasting away in the streets. We need to do something about our grassroots football development."
Also, a competition like the MTN Street Soccer Competition should be revisited. The competition has not done much to produce talents for the country because the organisers have not made it a talent hunt, but a mere financial empowerment for street kids.
According to another former Super Eagles captain, Segun Odegbami, "The NFF can liaise with the organisers and broaden the competition, where talents can be discovered, nurtured and turn to superstars. Those who can win laurels for Nigeria are on the streets."
On his own, former Eagles coach, Adegboye Onigbinde, said the failure of Nigeria's national teams is traceable to "our grassroots developmental failures.
"We will never get it right until we come up with a good policy direction that can ensure good grassroots development.
"This is what I have been clamouring for more than 20 years ago. I have been in the vanguard of grassroots football development. It can be from schools or streets, but grassroots development can never be under-estimated."
Commenting on this development, Nigeria Football Federation First Vice President, Seyi Akinwumi, said the nation will be better off with good youth development, saying the football house is doing its best to develop the game from the grassroots.
"Grassroots is where the future of football lies. On our part, we are initiating various programmes that will ensure the game is taking back to the grassroots."
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allafrica.com/stories/201507062542.html?viewall=1

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Nigeria: When Eagles Remembered the Weak
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By Uzor Odigbo
Lagos — Besides their individual foundations for charity, members of the National team, the Super Eages have been showing good reasons of being their brothers' keeper by donating to the weak in the society.
The players shocked most Nigerians when they trooped out to welcome inmates of the Divine Wounds of Jesus Christ orphanage in Kubwa, Abuja, preparatory to their match against Chad.
Vincent Enyeama, the captain and goalkeeper of the Super Eagles said the team would continue to support the less privileged in the society, especially those in orphanages.
Enyeama made the promise in Abuja when the team donated some food items, toiletries and cash for the upkeep of orphans of the Divine Wounds of Jesus Christ orphanage, Kubwa.
The Eagles captain said the team was prompted to donate the items to ensure that the orphans were well taken care of.
He noted that the education of the kids was important to the team as that was the foundation of their success as footballers.
"We are here to support this kids and your course. We just got to know about it and we said we want to be part of it."
"Personally on behalf of this team, my share of the bonus for the match against Chad will be paid into the orphanage account for education of the kids, to encourage them to push on."
"From time to time, we will continue to assist them in whatever way we can; this is our little token and appreciation from God for the work you are doing," Enyeama said.
Kingsley Ojo, a Junior Secondary School one student of the orphanage who spoke on behalf of others, commended the players for their kind gesture.
"I want to thank you for the privilege to come and visit you; I want to thank you for welcoming us."
"May the good Lord continue to bless you and strengthen you; you will never lack."
"As you accept us in this place, may the good Lord accept you and your families in the mighty name of Jesus," Ojo said.
Charles Ikezemuoka, Director of the home told the media that the money donated by the players would be judiciously used in the education of the children.
He said "It is exciting for me to see that the Eagles are giving back to the community where they come from."
"It has been a challenge in the education of these children for some time, but with this, we will go very far."
"We are looking to add extra spaces to their accommodation and add more buildings in their school, buy more educational materials and be able to get them qualified teachers."
"We are also looking to expand the school, add more laboratories, libraries and some other things and ensure that they get quality education which the Eagles have demanded for them."
"So, those are the areas we are looking to invest with what they have given to us."
Ikezemuoka also said talented ones who were willing to take the part of football would be given the opportunity, saying that their prayer was for the kids to grow and become great.
"So, if they decide to take the line of career of their helpers today, we will be extremely happy to help them too," he said.
The media reports that apart from Enyeama's donation of his match bonus, Super Eagles winger, Ahmed Musa also donated N500 000.
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allafrica.com/stories/201507062624.html?viewall=1

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Club Africain linked to Nigerian striker
By: Tarek Talaat
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Tunisia side, Club Africain are now in the running once more to sign Enyimba striker, Mfon Udoh, according to media claims in the North African country.
The Tunisian champions are reported to be in advanced talks to sign the record scorer in Nigeria's top flight.
The reports also suggest that Udoh has arrived in Tunisia but supersport.com is aware that the striker is still in Nigeria.
The 13-time Tunisian champions have been tracking Udoh since the start of this year and have even had a bid turned down by Enyimba for failing to meet the asking fee for the striker.
Club Africain have been keen to sign a Nigerian all in a bid to match their rivals, Esperance Sportive de Tunis, in the transfer market after the Tunis club hooked three Nigerians this year. Esperance have signed the trio of Emem Eduok, Bernard Bulbwa and recently Kingsley Sokari, who is Udoh's teammate at Enyimba.
Reports in Tunisia are saying that Udoh could undergo medical exams in a matter of days should a deal be agreed.
But at the moment, a move for Udoh to Club Africain remains unconfirmed.
Udoh has been sidelined for a larger part of the ongoing season in Nigeria due to illness. He has scored four goals for Enyimba this season.
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mobi.supersport.com/football/North-Africa/news/150706/Club_Africain_linked_to_Nigerian_striker

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Nigeria's Five Most Highly Rated Players of All Time
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opinion
By Mansur Abubakar
Since the formation of Nigeria's first national football team in 1949 which was coached by the famous Fulham star' John (Jack) Finch, the country has went on to produce some of the brightest players in the history of the game.
From the Christian Chukwu inspired side that landed Eagles their first African Cup of Nations trophy in 1980 to the immensely talented 'dream team' which took the world by storm in 1994 (many also describe it as the best of all time).
All manner of stars have adorned the green and white before going on to achieve stardom, international recognition and trophies alike. These five players are the most highly rated as far as football in Nigeria is concerned.
5 Stephen Keshi- Present coach of the senior national team who apart from guiding Eagles to their third AFCON title in South Africa two years ago also enjoyed a sterling playing career with both Nigeria and a host of clubs in Europe.
A no nonsense centre back who was occasionally drafted as a holding midfielder, Keshi got his debut at the age of 17 in 1989 and went on to captain the team to both the Tunisia 94 AFCON triumph and their first FIFA World Cup, gaining over 80 caps on the way.
4 John Obi Mikel- He came to limelight during the 2005 U20 World Cup in Holland where he almost eclipsed arguably the greatest player of all time, Lionel Messi to the coveted Golden Ball due to his mesmerizing display at the tournament which made many rate him among the three most talented footballers in the world at the time.
Apart from being part of the 2013 AFCON winning side in Johannesburg, Mikel's Eagles career can best be described as average but Chelsea FC of England is where the midfielder has really made his name, being part of the team that has won three EPL titles, four FA Cups, three League cups, UEFA Champions League and the Europa League.
Today he is no longer a first team player in the 'Blues' team but will go down as one of Nigeria's biggest exports in football.
3 Rashidi Yekini- No one is yet to break his goal scoring record for Eagles having netted 46 times in 94 appearances. Was the focal point of Clement Westerhoff's amazing team of 1994 where he scored vital screamers that helped landed the 'Tunisia 94' AFCON title.
Scored Nigeria's first ever goal at a FIFA World Cup against Bulgaria in USA with his goal net celebration stuck in the minds of millions of football lovers till date.
2 Austin Jay Jay Okocha- He remains Nigeria's most technically gifted player till date. He was able to do things no one could do with the ball. The great Pele once said of him "Okocha is the only African player that could walk straight into the Brazil national team" what a compliment from the legendary player.
Another player from the great 1994 team, starting his career with Eintracht Frankfurt in the Bundesliga (one of his goals is rated among the top three in the history of the league) by 1998 Okocha was Africa's most expensive player when he moved from Fenerbahce to Paris Saint Germain after the World Cup.
1 Nwankwo Kanu- What haven't been said about this player, this week a pub in South London which celebrates a legendary hero every week, wrote this about their 'man of the week'.
"inspired Nigeria to Olympic gold in 1996, overcame heart bypass surgery to win numerous trophies with Arsenal including being part of the invincibles of 2004 not forgetting FA Cup win for Pompey, all hail King Kanu " they wrote on their board
Kanu was already an Eredivise and UEFA Champions league title winner with Ajax at the age of 17 before engineering the miracle of Atlanta 1996 despite being close to death at the time. His inability to lift the AFCON is the only blip in the career of Nigeria's most highly rated and respected player.
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allafrica.com/stories/201507061997.html?viewall=1

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Nigeria: Why NFF Must Probe Taye Taiwo's Bribery Allegation
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By Chibuike Chukwu Lagos
Taiye Taiwo blossomed into the national scene in 2005 as a member of the Flying Eagles team that won the Africa Youth Championship that held in Cotonou, Benin Republic that year.
He was named a member of the team that took part in the World Youth Championship now FIFA U-20 World Cup in Netherlands same year. The team placed second behind Argentina. Shortly afterward, he was invited into the Super Eagles where he was capped 54 times.
Since losing his place in the team shortly before the 2010 World Cup, he has remained in limbo. But last week, he caused a stir when he said that players pay their ways to the national team, though exonerating himself from the dastardly act.
"Unlike others, I didn't offer gifts to the Nigeria coach to be selected," he told Football Africa 365. "Unfortunately, it's still happening."
Former Super Eagles coach, Clemence Westerhof, in 2013, caused uproar when he alleged that players bribed their way into the national team.
He made the allegation in an interview published by SuperSport.com then, saying, those players who did not merit a place in the team got call-ups after giving money to the selectors.
"We had a situation where we had the wrong people in the wrong places, even in the (Nigeria) FA.
"We had cases where players paid $15,000 to the coach and say 'I want to play for the national team' and the coach would accept. They bought their way into the national team and it was an unbelievable situation. I know these things," Westerhof said.
Even before Westerhof made his allegation, Coach Adegboye Onigbinde, who coached the team to the 2002 World Cup in Japan was believed to have rejected a $30,000 offer from a player's agent for a player who later made the team to the 2010 World cup in South Africa.
Taiwo's allegation seems to confirm the widely-held belief among Nigerians that unmerited made their way into the Super Eagles on account of their financial inducement to the coaches.
This is because, more often than not, Nigerians have witnessed situations where unfit, club less and out-of-form players were taking to major tournaments, with the coaches defending their choice on the mandate given to them to freely choose their players.
There are diverse implications of the allegation. First, it casts a big shadow on the country's football, presenting Nigerian coaches as unprofessional and those whose main interest is gratification.
Secondly, the allegation has made mockery of the NFF before its counterparts around the world. For the fact that Taiwo granted foreign media interview where he made the weighty allegation makes it the more damaging to the nation's football.
Consequently, Nigeria football followers may have heaved a sigh of relief, believing that their fears have merely been confirmed by Taiwo. The allegation will likely affect the confidence the football public have on their national team coaches.
This is why the NFF should stop at nothing to get to the root of the matter. It should invite Taiwo to throw more light on the allegation.
Thirdly, based on the weighty nature of the allegation, the football house may decide to now resort to foreign coaches, who merely come with strong intent on exploiting the economic aspect of their contracts without the expected result.
Accredited players' agent, Chris Eseka, while asking the NFF to thoroughly probe Taiwo's allegation, merely confirmed it, saying: "It is a fact that coaches do collect money from players, though not all of them do it. It is not all the players that do pay.
"Taye Taiwo is saying the obvious; it is those fringe players that are involved. You don't expect players like Mikel Obi or Ogenyi Onazi or Enyeama to pay.
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allafrica.com/stories/201507061778.html?viewall=1

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........Nigeria: Why NFF Must Probe Taye Taiwo's Bribery Allegation
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"This is the main reason why we have been clamouring for foreign coaches because no foreign coach will do that kind of thing. But the question is: When will Nigeria stop depending on foreign coaches?
Eseka asked the NFF not to sweep the allegation under the carpet. Rather, he asked the federation to investigate the allegation, albeit secretly.
Also, National President of the Nigerian Football coaches Association, Bitrus Bewarang, has challenged anyone with concrete information on any Nigerian national team coach collecting bribes to make such facts available.
Bewarang said if this was not investigated, then the football house may be culpable, urging that Taiwo should be called to substantiate his claim.
"He should be called to throw more light on the allegation because it is a big one. NFF should not sweep this allegation under the carpet because NFF's name is at stake."
"These accusations are becoming many, and if nothing is done now, it would soon get out of hand.
We are now challenging those making the accusations to come forward with their facts. They should make them available, and let us work on it. If not, such persons should keep their cool and should stop all the blackmail.
"Does it mean that Taiwo has been bribing his way to national teams all this while?" Bewarang wondered. "If that is the case, he should be able to make available more facts on all these."
He continued: "And why is it now that he is not being invited that he is making such claims? This is a player who grew from the wings, and passed through many coaches, coming out to make such a statement. We are not taking it lightly; he should come up and substantiate his claims."
Former Eagles captain, Henry Nwosu (M)N) called on the authorities to immediately unravel the truth. He said such allegation is capable of tarnishing the nation's image abroad.
"We should do everything possible to unravel the truth. It is a very bad one. Truthfully, we have been suspecting that, but I can't confirm such because such thing was unheard of during our time.
"We were not playing for money, but for the fun of the game, hence we were not so desperate. This allegation is not good for our football."
Onigbinde agreed that it may not be impossible, asking the NFF to investigate the matter because "It is a serious one."
But Enyimba coach, Kadiri Ikhana, was coy in his response on the matter when his opinion was sought, saying since his coaching career, he has never collected money from any player before being featured.
"I have never asked for money from any player I feature in any team I am privileged to handle, so this issue of money is foreign to me. I think Taye Taiwo should be called to substantiate the allegation.
"But generally, this is not good for the image of Nigerian football and Nigerian coaches. Something must be done to know the truth in this matter. NFF should call Taiwo and probe from him those coaches who collect bribe. But Taiwo should be truthful about it.
The NFF must absolve itself of any blame by ensuring that nothing is left unearthed in this matter.
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allafrica.com/stories/201507061778.html?viewall=1

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Nigeria: Chelsea's Bullish Style of Football Excites Me, Says Uduok
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By Uzor Odigbo Lagos
Most players in Nigeria's domestic league usually keep mute on their preferred European teams.
Save for the 2014 second top scorer, Emem Udouk, (21 goals) now with Esperance FC of Tunisia who said that making his choice attracts no consequence.
Uduok revealed that Chelsea football club has been his choice club either as a player or a fan.
"I like Chelsea's Bullish style of football. My ambition is to play for the club one day because their style suits my style of football. If there is any club in Europe I will love to sign, it is Chelsea. The club knows how to manage and boost players' career. They are not too much into fanciful football, they play direct football and the results are there for all to see."
The former Dolphin fc of Port Harcourt striker and U-20 national team player, who was once invited to the Super Eagles, added that he would not mind signing for Chelsea even at the shortest notice, but insisted that everything in life has time and season and when the time comes, nothing will stop it. He vowed that Dolphin Fc remains his cherished team in the local league and would want more support from government to encourage the players.
Udouk insisted that with proper management, the caliber of talents in Nigeria will never disappoint playing in any league in the world.
"We have football talents in Nigeria that can fit into the leagues in Europe.
The major problem talents at home face has been poor management. It doesn't take much for clubs like Chelsea, Arsenal, Man-united scouts to stroll in to identify good talents, but the problem remains that of players' inconsistency because players are not getting what it takes to be regular scorers in the league. Players can't afford to go on holidays on their own because they don't earn much. They can't go for adequate medical checks based on the same reason, so tell me, how could such players sustain their playing and scoring form?
"Every player has their own chance, it is left for the coach to decide and I won't mind being there regularly. I have tried my best and I'm on my best form right now. I will always do my best always"
"I'm thinking of moving to Europe sometime in the future said, with my present form, it will be possible. You will get to know about it very soon," he said.
Uduok has already set a new record of the player to score the highest number of goals in a single game in Nigeria league history with his six goals last season.
On the domestic league, Udouk noted that the activity of the referees in the centre circle is becoming a kill joy for players.
He advised that Nigeria referees must as a matter of fact embark on courses that would assist them officiate better.
"As players, we observe how referees go about their jobs in the European Leagues. Mistakes are minimal and where they are too glaring, the league body gives the appropriate punishment as corrective measures, but in Nigeria, it is not so and this has continued to bring the game down in the minds of players. Some of them are really doing their best, but for a better league, they should be encouraged to go on courses to sharpen them up to make the right decisions."
On how he wants Chelsea to finish in 2015-16 season, Uduok stressed that if the players keep playing the way they played last season with less injury problems, they would retain the trophy.
I'm convinced about this because Chelsea players are in good playing form and they have good bench, if they continue like this without injury worries, I believe they would retain the league cup.
He also noted that other clubs like Arsenal, Manchester City and Everton have good chance of making it if they correct some technical lapses in their fold.
Uduok gave the Nigerian league high marks when he said, "The European league is feeding fat on the talents in Africa, insisting that without the Africa talents in their leagues, the rating would have been very low, adding that if the league in Africa is managed the way Europeans leagues is been managed, attention would definitely shift from Europe to Africa.
One of the richest clubs in the world, Chelsea F.C. was founded on March 14, 1905 at The Rising Sun pub (now The Butcher's Hook). After a short time, the club was elected into the Second Division at the Football League AGM on May 29, 1905. Chelsea's first game took place away at Stockport County on September 2, 1905. They lost the game 1-0. Their first home game was against Liverpool in a friendly. They won 4-0. The Club began with established players recruited from other squads and promotion to the top flight was swift, but the club's early years brought no trophies.
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allafrica.com/stories/201507061696.html?viewall=1

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Enyeama, Akarandut watch Akwa United win
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Super Eagles goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama and one-time Nigeria league top scorer Akarandut Orok were among the fans and dignitaries who watched hometown club Akwa United beat Rangers at the Nest of Champions in Uyo on Sunday.
Akwa United won 2-0 for their first win at the brand-new Nest of Champions.
Interestingly, the duo featured for Akwa United in the past before they moved abroad.
Enyeama now plays for Lille in France, while Orok is with Bahrain club Al Hidd.
Another Eagles star, Ogenyi Onazi, was in the stands to watch Lobi Stars play in Makurdi recently.

thenationonlineng.net/new/enyeama-akarandut-watch-akwa-united-win/

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Ahmed Musa May Become Eagles Skipper
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CSKA Moscow forward, Ahmed Musa, has been lined up to be the next captain of Super Eagles when Vincent Enyeama is stripped of the captaincy, africanFootball.com reports.
Lille goalkeeper Enyeama is expected to be dropped as the country’s skipper after his recent act of indiscipline when on national team duty.
Musa led the Super Eagles when the team faced South Africa in a friendly earlier this year.
The former Flying Eagles star made his international debut against Madagascar in 2011 in Calabar and has half a century of caps now.
A top official informed africanFootball.com besides his seniority in the national team, his comportment on and off the pitch has been exemplary.
At only 22, he will be one of the youngest players ever to lead the country’s team.
The jet-heeled forward featured at the 2013 African Nations Cup which Nigeria won in South Africa and scored twice against Argentina at last year’s World Cup in Brazil.
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thenationonlineng.net/new/ahmed-musa-may-become-eagles-skipper/

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Nigeria: Twitter reacts to Stephen Keshi dismissal
Nigerian fans across the world sat up, took notice and gave their two cents on the NFF’s decision to dismiss the Big Boss; here are the best of your comments:
Ed Dove
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Once again the NigerianFootball Federation have parted ways with Stephen Keshi.
The Big Boss’s successes—notably the Africa Cup of Nations victory in 2013—cannot be taken away from him, but over the subsequent year, the coach has lost his lustre.
Admittedly, the NFF have been guilty of mistreating the manager at times, but a combination of Keshi’s off-field disputes and the on-field decline hardly helped him ahead of this latest controversy.
There was an element of farce about his appearance on the shortlist for the available Cote d’Ivoire job…but sadly, it wasn’t surprising. Keshi has struggled to shake the reputation of a man who puts his own success and his own prominence ahead of others, and even though he vehemently denied it, there will still be considerable portions of the Nigerian fanbase that can too easily believe that the coach saw an opportunity to move onto better things.
For the Glass House chiefs, it was one indiscretion and one misstep too many. He may have (eventually) been forgiven for missing out on the 2015 Afcon, and the victory against Chad may at least have given some hope for a return to past glories, but ultimately, the Ivorian scandal has cost Keshi to right the wrongs of 2014.
Naturally, his dismissal generated much discussion and comment on Twitter.
Here are the best of your opinions and insight over the days since the news broke.
The majority of people expressed cynicism about the Big Boss’s relationship with his former employers.
And so Coach Stephen Okechukwu Keshi has been summarily SACKED by his employers, NFF It was a marriage of convenience from the start. *sigh*
— Mozez Praiz (@Mpraiz) July 4, 2015
Corruption and insincerity in out football did not start today. Westerhof faced the same and thrived. Keshi achieved a measure of success...
— Solace Chukwu (@deldorisma) July 6, 2015
Keshi had a game plan & he followed it to the letter. Interestingly, some high chiefs in the NFF could be partakers in this grand scheme.
— James Ezimoha (@jamesezimoha) July 6, 2015
I guess Mr Keshi wasn't the lapdog they hoped he would be...
— Patrick Obahiagbon (@PObahiagbon) July 5, 2015
The moment the former DG of the SSS was fired, Keshi was a goner.That's what happens when you keep a job through power brokers &not merit.
— Abiola Kazeem (@biolakazeem) July 5, 2015
Some commentators took a moment to mock the Big Boss's tumultuous career security over the last few years:
"Keshi" soap opera update: resigns, returns, resigns, returns, resigns, returns, now sacked. Stand-by for another exciting episode next week
— John Bennett (@JohnBennettBBC) July 4, 2015
If the last 12 months are anything to go by Keshi will be back in the job next week... (although I think this time it really is the end).
— John Bennett (@JohnBennettBBC) July 4, 2015
Finally, James Ezimoha wasn't so concerned about the decision to sack Keshi as the identity of his replacement.
I don't understand why every time there is a Super Eagles head coach vacancy Amodu Shuaibu's name must be in the mix.
— James Ezimoha (@jamesezimoha)
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Nigeria: The NFF had no choice but to sack Stephen Keshi
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The federation’s decision may well prove to bring stability, rather than further instability, to the national side
Ed Dove
The comeback king is dead, as the NFF have finally lost their patience with Nigeriaboss Stephen Keshi.
The national team coach was sacked a fortnight after it was reported that he had applied to replace Herve Renard as the manager of the Cote d’Ivoire. The Big Boss denied that he was actively seeking out new employers, protesting that his name had been submitted without his knowing.
Perhaps his objections might have been enough to have saved his skin, maybe the NFF could have given him the benefit of the doubt, had his name removed from the Ivorian shortlist, and the whole situation could have been dealt with differently.
However, things didn’t unravel this way, and the federation concluded that enough was enough for the Cup of Nations 2013-winning coach.
The statement that confirmed his departure, presented here in its entirety, was largely devoid of emotion, but was poignantly oblique in the way that it touched on the coach’s broader failings, without directly referring to the Ivorian situation.
Keshi |‘Actions and Inactions’…decisions and revisions
Had Keshi’s journey up to this point been less riddled with conflict and controversy, and had the Big Boss not cultivated such a tortuous relationship with the NFF, he might have been given a second chance.
In the context of the coach’s reign to date, the federation had little choice. Whether you believe him or not, it’s one nightmarish headline too many.
The decision pushes the Afcon triumph of 2013 further into the past. The coach’s latest indiscretion reminds us that that glory, the achievement that was meant to herald the beginning of a brand-new era, was merely a false dawn at the beginning of a disastrous few years for the national side.
Once again, the behaviour of the coach, and his wrought dealings with the administrators have stolen the headlines.
When the world thinks about Nigerian football these days, they don’t think about Ahmed Musa’s promise, of Moses Simon’s magic hips, of the mesmerising showings of Jay-Jay Okocha, Nwankwo Kanu et al., they thing of Keshi, motionless on the touchline, motivated by question marks, the NFF sharpening their knives in the Glass House.
The focus must return to the football, and the on-field output of the Super Eagles.
The reports about Keshi—unless they can be proved to be false, without any shred of doubt—undermine both the coach himself and the federation’s decision.
We are playing a power game here, and the country’s football powerbrokers cannot be seen to be soft or to be blind supporters of the Big Boss independent of his actions.
Similarly, for how long can Amaju Pinnick continue to oversee a farcical federation and hope to keep his own reputation intact? In this world of sponsors and partnerships, sponsorships and partners, the NFF chief can ill-afford for the circus to continue in Nigeria.
Pinnick |Can ill-afford the off-field charade
The decision creates uncertainty in the short-term, of course, and a new successor—a sensible choice—must be appointed in order to maximise the team’s on-field options and place the focus back on the football.
Of course, Keshi’s return was celebrated with a victory over Chad, but there were no guarantees that, had the coach stuck around, the attention would have been on the players rather than the off-field machinations.
Nothing is certain yet, of course, and the identity of the Big Boss’s successor is of critical concern, but Keshi’s stock has fallen so, that this decision was almost the only one the NFF could have taken.
Not only were the Big Boss’s reigns characterised by disputes—some of which, admittedly, were not his fault—but it has become difficult to retain too much faith in the coach as a motivator, as a tactician or as a judge of player.
Such is his decline, that Nigeria fans shouldn’t mourn this latest decision. Certainly, this week the same old stories of tumultuous, incompetent Nigeria will be trotted out by the world’s media—the NFF deserve them—but perhaps cutting ties with Keshi, and the baggage he brings, demonstrates that the federation realise the value of ending the off-field circus once and for all.
We can only hope…
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m.goal.com/x/en-ng/news/13319402

Daninya11:
Former Nigeria senior national team handler Johannes Bonfrere has made a passionate call to the NFF to appoint a foreign coach as next Super Eagles’ coach.

Stephen Keshi was shown the exit door by the Nigeria Football Federation on Saturday evening for lack of commitment to achieve the federation’s objectives.

According to the Dutchman who led the country’s U23 football team to win the 1996 Olympics football event said only a foreign tactician can help the Super Eagles back to the peak again.

“I think the NFF need to hire a foreign coach to take charge of the Super Eagles,” Bonfrere told Completesportsnigeria.com.

“The Super Eagles have failed to make much impact since they won the African Cup of Nations in 2013 and it has to do with the inability of the coaches to take the team to new heights.

“Personally, I don’t think Stephen Keshi have what it takes to take the team beyond where they are now.

“So the decision made by the NFF to sack him was the right one.

“The next task before them now is to carefully look for a capable foreign coach that can help improve the performance of the team.”

Swede’s Lars Lagerbäck who led Nigeria to the 2010 Fifa World Cup in South Africa was the last expatriate to handle the country’s senior national football team.


http://m.goal.com/x/en-ng/news/13348442

Daninya11 you are doing a very good job here. How I wish I had checked carefully before posting a news item on this same topic. Hope am given another chance to make amends?

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Etim to Amodu: Beware of nemesis
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…As NFF hints on Keshi’s replacement
BY MONICA IHEAKAM
Ex-international, Etim Esin has slammed Amodu Shuaibu for his eagerness to take over from Stephen Keshi albeit on a ‘temporary basis’ as Super Eagles head coach.
The NFF announced on Saturday that it had terminated its contract with Stephen Keshi, with National Technical Director, Amodu Shuaibu taking over, in an interim capacity until a substantive coach was announced.
Known for his outspoken stance on issues about Nigerian football , Esin hinged Keshi’sack on betrayal by players’ haters and the unrepentant cabals that never wanted the AFCON winning coach to be on the saddle as Eagles handler.
Esin, who wore the country’s national team respected jersey No.10 , warned Shuaibu Amodu to remember the law of Karma, while consoling Keshi to take the situation in his strides and move on with his life.
“Keshi’s sack in my opinion is caused by betrayal concepts and cabals that wanted to get rid of him.
“I am disappointed in Amodu Shuiabu but I know that one good turn deserves another because there is always law of Karma in everything we do.
“I wasn’t in Keshi’s good book when he was my captain and I didn’t benefit from him as a national team coach. I know that his is pathfinder and his records as a coach and player is there for all to see.
“This is the time for ex-internationals to wake up and take the job of running Nigerian football seriously.
Meanwhile, General Secretary of the Nigeria Football Federation , Sanusi Mohammed had disclosed that a substantive coach for the Super Eagles would be announced in the coming weeks.
“We have a very important qualifier in September and wiithin the next one week or two, we should name a new coach,” Sanusi began .
“We don’t want to waste too much time before we announce a substantive coach to take over.
I cannot tell you that now until the process is concluded, then we shall make it public, who our next coach will be. Nigerians should just be patient with us, we will name a coach soon,” he added.
Eagles visit Dar-es-Salaam in September for their second 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Tanzania.
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sunnewsonline.com/new/etim-to-amodu-beware-of-nemesis/

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Ahmed Musa to take over Eagles Captaincy
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Ahmed Musa has been lined up to be the next captain of Nigeria, when Vincent Enyeama is stripped of the captaincy, AfricanFootball.com has understood.
Lille goalkeeper, Enyeama was expected to be dropped as the country’s skipper after his recent act of indiscipline when on national team duty.
The CSKA Moscow forward, Ahmed Musa led the Super Eagles when they faced South Africa in a friendly earlier this year.
The former Flying Eagles star made his international debut against Madagascar in 2011 in Calabar and he had half a century of caps now.
A top official informed AfricanFootball.com besides his seniority in the national team, his comportment on and off the pitch had been exemplary.
At only 22, he would be one of the youngest players ever to lead the country’s team.
The jet-heeled winger or forward featured at the 2013 AFCON, which Nigeria won in South Africa and scored twice against Argentina at last year’s World Cup in Brazil.
[/b]
sunnewsonline.com/new/ahmed-musa-to-take-over-eagles-captaincy/

Orkpekyandega:

Daninya11 you are doing a very good job here. How I wish I had checked carefully before posting a news item on this same topic. Hope am given another chance to make amends?

Feel free my brother from another mother...
Thumbs up for the good job you are doing on Nairaland. . Your updates are top notch. .

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Keshi: Another End of an Era
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After 1,342 days as the Head Coach of the Super Eagles, the journey came to an end Saturday night for Stephen Keshi. It was the second time he got fired by Nigeria after jointly suffering a simi­lar fate with his then boss, Shaibu Amodu in February 2002.
Keshi may have got­ten used to losing jobs as this marks the fourth time after being fired by Togo in 2006 and Mali in Janu­ary 2010. The earlier three sacks in 2002, 2006 and 2010 were largely for not meeting targets at Africa Nations Cup, even though other reasons could be ad­duced for his joint sack along with Shaibu shortly after the Mali 2002 Africa Nations Cup.
Saturday’s sack may not have come as shock to per­spective observers of hap­penings in Nigeria football generally and the NFF in particular. For a long time, the romance of Keshi and the NFF had been stormy.
External factors also played key role that de­layed Saturday’s final part­ing ways.
Since the era of Aminu Maigari, even before the qualification for the Brazil 2014 World Cup, there had been strain in the relation­ship of the coach and his employers.
Keshi initially dropped hints of quitting the job the day after his finest hour – winning the Africa Nations Cup as a coach thus becoming the second man after Egypt’s Mahmud El- Gohary, to have won the Africa Cup of Na­tions as both a player and a coach.
Purists may debunk the claim however. While El- Gohary was a prime actor in the 1959 edition of the Africa Nations Cup which he won with the then United Arab Republic (a short-lived politi­cal union of Egypt and Syria) and was the top scorer, Keshi played a cameo role in Nige­ria’s win of 1994, after being substituted by Nduka Ugbade in the first match with Gabon and the semi final match with Cote d’Ivoire. He was more of a non-playing captain when he lifted the Cup in 1994.
The Federal Government literarily forced Keshi back to the job after his initial res­ignation in February 2013, a deft move believed at black­mailing the NFF. He was rid­ing on the crest wave of the unexpected victory of the Super Eagles. Ever since, his employers, though not com­fortable with him had to con­tend with the possible back­lash from government should he be sacked.
The coach was believed to be the unseen hand in the players’ mutiny that preceded the FIFA Confederation Cup of 2013 and the Round of 16 matches with France at the last World Cup. The loss of the Adidas kitting contract was partly hinged on the fact that players and the coach did not respect some aspects of the contract by deliberately putting on apparels of rival kit manufacturers while on national team outings.
One photograph that was used to illustrate this was Keshi wearing Nike labelled baseball cap atop of Adidas track suits during the training session before the January 9, 2013 friendly duel with Cape Verde in Faro Portugal.
Even with a change of guard at the NFF following September 30 elections in Warri, Keshi looked untouch­able by the NFF even after strings of bad results. When the board decided to lash on the imminent danger of losing out at the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations and the fact that Kes­hi’s contract had lapsed, he was forced back on the job by the Jonathan administration.
He was alleged to have declared his unwillingness to submit to the authority of the newly appointed technical director of the NFF and will only take instructions from the NFF president as others including the General Secre­tary were subordinate to the coach.
He would also want to be solely responsible for players’ call up even as many believed that poor selection was large­ly responsible for Nigeria’s poor performance at the last World Cup.
Inside sources alleged that a high ranking security opera­tive was his backbone. When recently there were changes in the headship of security apparatus, observers knew it was the beginning of the end of an era for Keshi.
When the news broke that he applied for coaching job in Cote d’ Ivoire, the reason for his exit seemed to have been found. Both the NFF board and the coach seemed not to enjoy good relation­ship and one must part way for the other for the national team to regain its esteem.
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sunnewsonline.com/new/keshi-another-end-of-an-era/
To be continued in the next post....

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Keshi: Another End of an Era
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It must be noted that Keshi has left his footprint on Nigerian football. Apart from leading the Super Ea­gles to Nigeria’s third vic­tory at the Africa Nations Cup, he had the longest unbeaten streak in Nigerian football when he led the team to a 19-match unbeat­en run from June 3, 2012 lone goal defeat of Na­mibia in Calabar till Diego Forlan-inspired Uruguay to a 2-1 win in the June 20, 2013 FIFA Confederation Cup tie in Salvador, Bra­zil. Also, as a coach, he had many games if his han­dling of the CHAN squad is counted. That gives him 52 matches, just one behind that of Amodu Shaibu who has 53 in his four spells as Nigeria’s manager. In forty five (less CHAN) of Keshi’s outings, he won 20 match­es, drew 17 and lost eight.
On the negative side, Ni­geria had just one win in 12 consecutive matches since picking World Cup ticket at the expense of Ethiopia in November 2013. The height of it was the 3-2 loss to Congo in Calabar. It was the first time in 33 years, Nigeria lost a competitive game at home. The last time that happened was October 10, 1981 when Algeria beat Nigeria 2-0 in the last stage of Spain ’82 World Cup qualifier. Dates may also be significant in Keshi’s ca­reer. It was in July he made his debut as a player for Ni­geria in 1981 when Nigeria beat the then Upper Volta (now Burkina Faso) 1-0 in a friendly match. It was on July 5, 1994 that his career as a player ended following Nigeria’s defeat by Italy at the World Cup.
Just a day to the 21st an­niversary, his career as the coach of the team ended. When he initially gave indi­cation that he had resigned as Nigeria’s coach after the 2-0 loss to France last year, it was the 20th anni­versary of his last match as a player for Nigeria. Keshi last played for Nigeria in the 2-0 defeat of Greece on June 30, 1994 at the World Cup in USA.
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sunnewsonline.com/new/keshi-another-end-of-an-era/

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Omeruo, Moses not wanted at Chelsea
Posted by: TAOFEEK BABALOLA
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• Classified as second string players
Nigerian international duo of Kenneth Omeruo and Victor Moses would be playing away from Stamford Bridge next season if the news coming from the London club is anything to go by.
Omeruo was among the 31 returning loanees at the club’s training ground, Cobham, on Monday after a loan spell at various different clubs last season.
According to reports in the English Press yesterday, Chelsea will place Omeruo, Moses and 29 other loanees in a special ‘loan squad’ for pre-season, away from the main group as they look to find new clubs.
It was gathered from the club’s training camp that Eddie Newton, technical coach of Chelsea’s youth development programme and assistant Paulo Ferreira, will lead a squad comprising of players not wanted by Jose Mourinho’s touring first-team selection.
Mourinho is back at work this week to begin preparations for Chelsea’s Barclays Premier League title defence. One of his first jobs before the first team depart for their pre-season tour next week is working out who to take to the United States.
Chelsea’s list of retained players released last month, revealed that 72 were still contracted to the Stamford Bridge side, the largest roster of any English club.
“We would have loved to have all the players back because we still see them as part of the club,’ Newton said about the pre-season group. ‘Sometimes it’s not possible because the deal’s been made with another club so therefore, best case scenario, they go to their new club.
‘Then Jose will take some on tour with him, it’s their chance to impress the manager and make sure that he understands why they are there.
‘Then the other scenario is that they come with me and Paulo and they come for pre-season as a group and we put them through their paces and slowly but surely they start dripping, falling out, because obviously the deal has been made and therefore, they go to their new club on loan.’
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thenationonlineng.net/new/omeruo-moses-not-wanted-at-chelsea/