Former Nigeria coach Stephen Keshi gave an
exclusive interview with thecable.ng over his
leaving the Super Eagles coaching post.
The interview, at the Brasilia Palace Hotel, was a
day after the loss to France.
Here is part of that interview with TheCable :
##-TheCable: Knowing what you know now, what
would you have done as regards the preparations
of the team before this World Cup?
Stephen Keshi: I would have loved to have had
them in camp a lot earlier. The European season
made a little bit difficult as I did not want to have
only one half of the squad in camp before the
others joined.
We had less than two weeks to perfect our plans
and it showed as it was only when we got to the
tournament that we started picking up our rhythm.
We had only three friendly matches which are
really not enough to get ready for a tournament like
this. So, those are what I would have liked to
change.
##-Have you really quit your post?
Yes. I have done my bit. I am tired of all the
intrigues and backbiting and insinuations I get. The
criticisms are nothing really because even siblings
criticise each other. In this job sometimes it goes
overboard and my family and those of my players
get called names.
I have had to tell the players many times to ignore
those criticisms and just focus on the tasks at
hand.
##-There are many Nigerians who support you. Many
who would like to see you continue the work you
started with the team. Can you not change your
mind for them?
The same ones who were calling for my head after
the Iran match? That “the World Cup is too big for
Keshi”? I know there are many who truly support
what we have been trying to do over these past
months but I just cannot continue in this job
anymore.
To start with, my contract ended with the last
match and the Federation never approached me for
a renewal. What does that say? It says to me I’m
not wanted. I am going to go and rest, spend some
time with my family and then hopefully get another
job where I am wanted.
##-After the Afcon win, President Goodluck Jonathan
intervened and sorted things out. What if he does
this time?
As much as I respect and appreciate the number
one citizen of the country I am afraid that this time
it is going to be difficult. I am totally done with
some of these people.
##-If you were the Sports Minister of Nigeria what is it
you will do or try and put in place to make the job
of the national team coach a lot easier?
Make the Federation pay his salaries on time and
those of his assistants. Build a training centre and
facility for the national team to train. We never had
anywhere decent to train. The Abuja National
Stadium is filled with sand and the worst kind of
sand. That means when someone goes to ground
he will have skin wounds.
I and my assistants spend our own money to buy
training cones and some of the things we use for
training sessions. In most countries of the world
when a coach is hired he brings in his own
coaching team. Well for two years now I have been
told to pay the salary of my assistant Valery
Houandinou, someone who has been with me from
Togo through to Mali – where those countries paid
his salary alongside paying mine.
In two and half years, I had no official residence. I
stayed in a hotel. I had no official car. I thank God
for Chief Mike Adenuga for those two cars he gave
to me after the Afcon win. However, these
federation officials will continue to trumpet that
“they gave Keshi everything to succeed”.
Mali is one of the poorest countries in Africa but I
was given my place of residence and an official
car within three days of me taking on the job. I also
had a house in Togo and was never owed salaries.
##-What will happen to the young players you have
built up into internationals as it means that Nigeria
is losing out on the continuity that you staying on
would have brought on?
Well, there is a nucleus of a team to work with
there so a new coach will have the players there.
In my mind I could set out two equally strong
squads with the players available to me.
However, the new coach might come in and say
that these players would not fit into his style and
so it will be. Not going to be my problem again
(smiles).
##-Clearly your experience with Togo and Mali has
helped you at this job?
Oh, without a shadow of doubt. God took me to
those countries to give me the experience of
dealing with people. It is far more difficult to work
in your own country I have just found out. When I
qualified Togo for the Afcon and the World Cup I got
their national honour and diplomatic passport.
Such was their gratitude. They make you
comfortable and of course results followed. God
was awesome in taking me through that route.
##-Did you take a risk with the squad you took to the
tournament?
I did not take a risk. From the training camp and
from the friendly matches I chose the players I
believed would give me what I wanted on the field.
People say I took players to sell them and I laugh.
Michael Babatunde has not even started playing.
Ramon Azeez will be a top player and he has a big
heart. It is unfortunate for Reuben Gabriel that he
has suffered a lot with injuries because he has
every attribute to be a super player. Many
Nigerians who are sincere know his qualities. I
trust that he will come through.
##-But would you be his or their coaches then?
No. My job with Nigeria is done. I just hope who
comes in will give them the opportunity to
showcase their talents. When I took over there
was no standing team and I had to build from
scratch really but am gone.
I have loved serving my country but I believe I am
done.
- http://www.kickoffnigeria.com/mobile/news/46257/nigeria-coach-stephen-keshi-talks-about-resignation

Its really painful that whenever there is a loss, everyone starts criticizing the coach

Too bad Nigerians can't recognise him for his good works....

Dreal1247: Its really painful that whenever there is a loss, everyone starts criticizing the coach

Nigerians especially,even though Italy,England and Spain didnt qualify for knockout stages,still Stephen keshi was more criticized than those coaches.

Breaking NewsAfter their return from Brazil World cup yestaday, the Super Eagles were so ashamed of their defeat that they decided to disguise themselves so as not to be recognized.Mikel disguised himself as a monk and was walking on the street when suddenly an old lady walked up to him and said "Mikel how far na?". Mikel was so surprised that he ran away annoyed that the old woman could recognize him despite his disguise. Disappointed, he went home and dressed as a pregnant woman, again he bumped into the same old lady and she said, "Mikel how far na, see as you just run the away". Confused and frustrated Mikel asked "but mama how do you keep recognizing me despite my disguises"?The old lady replied: "Hahaha, Mikel na wa for you oh, look me well na, It's me Yobo"