Sacking Me Won’t Solve The Problem - Stephen Keshi

After missing out on qualification for next year’s Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON). Stephen Keshi said sacking him will do nothing to reverse the downward trend the Eagles are currently experiencing, insisting the problems goes beyond him.

“If a team fails, sacking the coach won’t solve the problem. The authority should look beyond the coach to find solutions to the problem,” Keshi said.

Keshi, who has been working without a contract since the expiration of his last deal after the World Cup, admitted that failure to qualify for next year’s AFCON is failure on his part.

“I can’t deny it is a shame that we failed to qualify,on my part I failed the nation but my players took South Africa for granted,a match they had to win.”
His agent Emma Addo was, however, silent on his client’s future but echoed Keshi’s sentiment that the problem of the team goes beyond the coach.

Stephen Keshi Sacked By Nigeria Football Federation

Nigeria on Thursday sacked Stephen Keshi as national team coach, despite home win against Sudan that kept them in the running to defend the African title. the Nigeria Football Federation said after an emergency meeting that former coach Shuaibu Amodu would take temporary charge before a foreign manager is appointed. the Super Eagles were rock bottom of Group A in qualifying for next year’s Africa Cup of Nations after winning just one point in three matches but a 3-1 win against Sudan in Abuja on Wednesday lifted them to third. Speculation about 52-year-old Keshi’s future has refused to go away since the end of the World Cup finals in Brazil in July, where Nigeria reached the knock-out stages of the competition.

Keshi’s three-year deal ran out after the return from South America while he lost the support of players after much-publicised rows with the likes of Emmanuel Emenike, Peter Odemwingie and Ikechukwu Uche.

His record of five defeats, five draws and just one victory in the last 11 matches has only compounded dissatisfaction and led to calls for him to quit.

Nigeria Reverses Decision Of FIFA to NFF Ban

Few weeks ago, The world football governing body, FIFA, suspended the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, with immediate effect, but now it seem Nigeria appears to have beaten the Fifa ban restricting the country from participating in all global football tournaments after a Jos High court vacated an order yesterday which restrained the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) from functioning. Earlier this month, Fifa suspended Nigeria from all international football in response to the recent interference by the government into the running of the NFF affairs after sports minister Tamuno Danagogo dissolved its board. Mr Danagogo had relieved NFF president Alhaji Aminu Maigari of his job and called an extra-ordinary congress to elect an interim board, citing a July 3 a court

order by Justice Philomena Lot at the Jos high court restraining the NFF board from running the affairs of Nigerian football. Under Fifa regulations, national football associations are supposed to be

Breaking News: FIFA Suspends Nigeria Super Eagle

The world football governing body, FIFA, has suspended the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, with immediate effect.
The suspension was announced in a statement this evening.
According ti FIFA's statement, the suspension is due to government interference in football activities, particularly the controversial removal of the Aminu Maigari-led board of the NFF.
The suspension means no Nigerian team or club can participate in any FIFA competition.
Read full statement below.....

The FIFA Emergency Committee has decided today, 9 July 2014, to suspend the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) with immediate effect, on account of government interference. Article 13, par. 1 and article 17, par. 1 of the FIFA Statutes oblige member associations to manage their affairs independently and with no influence from third parties.
The decision follows a letter sent by FIFA to the NFF on 4 July 2014, in which it expressed its great concern after the NFF was served with court proceedings and consequently an

Keshi Resigns, As Yobo Ends Career

Nigerian Super Eagles coach, Stephen Okechukwu Keshi on Monday resigned his appointment after leading the Super Eagles to the second round of the FIFA 2014 World Cup.

Coach Keshi while speaking after the Super Eagles were elimination from the World Cup round of sixteen by France in Brasilia, said it was time to move after leading his country’s national team to the Africa Nations Cup trophy in 2013 and the ongoing World Cup in Brazil.

“I have to go back to my family and face fresh challenges,” Keshi said.

Cameroon Player Harassed After His Return From World Cup (Video)

Cameroon’s football team was eliminated from the World Cup on Monday after losing to Brazil 4-1. The Lions, as the team is called, exited the competition with 0 points, 9 goals against them and only one goal scored. This was not to their fans’ liking, especially since the players had initially refused to go to Brazil because they weren’t satisfied with the amount of prize money on offer.

On Wednesday, eleven of the players returned to Cameroon’s capital Yaounde. One of them was midfielder Stéphane Mbia. A local resident, Florian Ngimbis, filmed angry fans blocking his car.

World Cup: Nigeria Super Eagles qualify for second round

The Nigerian Super Eagles Wednesday evening qualified for the second round of the FIFA 2014 World cup in Brazil despite losing to Argentina three goals to two in a keenly contested last group F encounter.
Lionel Messi opened the scoring in the first half with a ferocious half-volley before Ahmed Musa equalised within 80 seconds with a delightful curling finish.
Messi made it two goals to one before the break with a 25-yard free-kick, but Ahmed Musa grabbed his second when he fired in low.

Marcos Rojo scored the winner for Argentina when he knocked in a corner ball with his knee.

Nigeria Eliminate Bosnia With a Little Help From Referee

Peter Odemwingie scored the only goal as Nigeria beat Bosnia and Herzegovina, 1-0, in Cuiaba on Saturday. Defeat for the Bosnians means they are eliminated from the finals with one match remaining.
Nigeria, who had been heavily criticised for failing to score gainst Iran in their opening match, were in dominant form for their second fixture.
The Bosnian defence struggled to cope with the pace and power of Emmanuel Emenike who brushed aside Emir Spahic, the Bosnian captain, to set up Odemwingie for the only goal after 29 minutes.
At the other end, Bosnia's star Edin Dzeko struggled to hit the target.
But the Bosnians were left complaining about two refereeing decisions.
With the game still scoreless, Dzeko did find the net -- only for the strike to be disallowed for offside. Replays showed clearly that the decision was wrong.
The Bosnians were also convinced, with much less justification, that Emenike had fouled Spahic before the Nigerian goal.

“I Cannot Promise Victory Against Bosnia, I Am Not God” – Stephen Keshi

After a disappointing 0-0 draw in their opening Group F match against Iran on Monday, Super Eagles coach, Stephen Keshi has stated that he cannot promise a win against Bosnia-Herzegovina on Saturday in Nigeria’s second World Cup game because he is not God.
Keshi has insisted that he’ll only do what he can as a coach and leave things he can’t control to God. “I’m not God; I’m just a coach and I will do what I have to do and that’s it,” he told reporters in Brazil.
“Even the best coaches in the world cannot tell you they will win before the game. We will try to prepare ourselves; we will work together and see what happens.”

President Jonathan Backs Nigeria Football Supporters Club With N50m

 President Goodluck Jonathan has promise to support Nigerian football supporters with 50 million naira. a relief came the way of cash-strapped Nigeria Football Supporters Club yesterday when President Goodluck Jonathan announced a donation of N50m to the Club at the Presidential Villa.

He said the donation was from the federal government to assist the supporters club for a hitch-free support for the Super Eagles at the World Cup in Brazil.
The President was also decorated as the Grand Patron of the Supporters Club, just as he promised to be in Brazil to cheer the Super Eagles.

Jamaica's Reggae Boyz Will Play France By June

Up-dates on Football- Jamaica's Reggae Boyz to play France in June as the build-up continues to the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil this summer.
The Caribbean outfit, who failed to qualify for football's biggest showpiece will take on the former World Cup winners on June 8 at the Stade Pierre Maury in Lille.
The clash will be the third and final warm-up fixture for Les Bleus who are due to play Norway and and Paraguay as well. At the World Cup, France will play in Group E and face Switzerland, Ecuador and Honduras.

Meanwhile, the Reggae Boyz, who failed to win a game and ended last in the CONCACAF World Cup final stage last year, will look to rebuild the national senior team and brand Reggae Boyz.
"This game will be extremely important in the federation's effort to rebuild the national senior team, and is part of my stated commitment to Jamaica's football programme," Captain Horace Burrell, president of the Jamaica Football Federation, stated via an e-mail release.
"The game happened after negotiations and France chose to play Jamaica. This match would enhance brand Reggae Boyz," Burrell told The Gleaner.
"One of the requirements is for us to field our strongest team, and we will do everything possible for that to happen," the JFF president disclosed.
Meanwhile, when quizzed as to who will be in charge of the Reggae Boyz, Burrell said: "I will not comment on the coaching at this time, that will be dealt with in the next few days." The contract of coach Winfried Schäfer ended last October and is yet to be renewed.
Jamaica made a historic first World Cup appearance at France 1998 but have failed to qualify for the finals since then.

An Open Letter To Stephen Keshi

Dear sir,

As we are in an open letter season, it is pertinent that we make the maximum use of this popular medium of communication, while it is in vogue.
So long as it is used positively to better our nation, enhance our collective lives, eschew errors of the past and suggest ways to make Nigeria a better place for all of us, it is a good thing.
Unlike other letters that are flying around at the moment, this one is from a friend and not a foe and be rest assured, it contains no personal attack, malice of negative criticism. This letter is designed to better our lot come June next year when the Super Eagles will be featuring in the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.

Given your history as a former Super Eagles player, captain and assistant coach, you are fully aware of our footballing history and how we have featured ion four tournaments so far. To be honest, the last two World Cups in which Nigeria featured are best forgotten about as our senseless decision to change coaches and overhaul our teams with just a few months to go was suicidal to put it politely.
Come 2014, however, we are on the cusp of creating history and correcting the wrongs of the past as we are not changing the guard at the last minute, are African champions, are seeing a return of confidence and as our recent friendly with Italy showed, have the nucleus of a team that can compete at the highest level.  However, at this level, a few minor details, which may only account for say 5% of overall planning, can sometimes make the difference between failure and success.
In the main, we have a very kind draw, having been grouped with Argentina, debutants Bosnia-Herzegovina and minnows Iran in Group F.  We have a good chance of reaching the semi finals at the least if we get our act together but we have one major problem - Time is not on our side.
Unfortunately, there is only one Fifa window left before the end of the current season and after that, there will only be 18 days between when our camp opens on May 25 and the start of the World Cup. Subsequently, we simply do not have the time to arrange as many friendly games as we need to get our team in shape, which is a big worry.
How could we prepare:
[1] We are in the same group as Argentina, so should play Colombia. Given that Colombia are in the same group as Ivory Coast, I would imagine they want to play African opposition too
[2] South Korea are playing Algeria, so I would imagine they also want to play African opposition. Bear in mind we are playing Iran, who were in the same World Cup qualification group as South Korea (The Persians actually topped the group), I think this is a game that will also do us well
[3] Bosnia-Herzegovina qualified from the same European group as Greece, who are also in Ivory Coast's group. They play similar southern European football, just as we and Les Elephants play similar West African football, so a game will do both of us well
[4] In March, there is a Fifa window and we basically need to squeeze two friendlies into this window
[5] We could play Colombia on Tuesday March 4 and then Greece on Friday March 7, both in England
[6] We should play them in Europe, so we can fit in two games within the week. Ideally, it would be good to play both games in England, to avoid long travel
[7] At the end of the season in May, we can then play South Korea, maybe in Brazil itself
[8] In the run-up to the World Cup, we could play two or three more friendlies.
[9] While camped in the US for instance, we can play friendlies against South American countries Venezuela, Peru and Bolivia.
[10] Unlike everyone else, we need such a hectic schedule because we have to try out about 10 players who should be part of our current set-up but are not and they need to be tested
What should our friendly schedule look like:
[1] March 4 - Colombia (London)
[2] March 7 - Greece (London)
[3] May 24 - Venezuela (London)
[5] May 31 - Bolivia (Houston)
[6] June 2  - Peru (Houston)
[7] June 7 - South Korea (Cuiaba)
[8] June 11 - Local Brazilian clubside Atletico Paranaense (Curitiba)
Given that players we desperately need have not played for the Eagles for a while, if at all, we simply do not have the luxury of a leisurely World Cup run-in. If we are casual about it, we will fail as we did in the last two tournaments we participated in.
Players who desperately need at least two matches to see how they fit in with the current set-up include:
[1] Dele Alampasu
[2] Bright Esieme
[3] Leon Balogun
[4] Musa Mohammed
[5] Juwon Oshaniwa
[6] Kingsley Madu
[7] Kenny Otiga
[8] Joel Obi
[9] Ramon Azeez
[10] Michael Olaitan
[11] Lukman Haruna
[12] Rabiu Ibrahim
[13] Kelechi Iheanacho
[14] Sone Aluko
[15] Chinedu Obasi
One of the beauties of football is that it takes very little time to determine how good a person is. If any of these players show they are not up to the task, then they will of course be decamped but it cannot be right to not give them the opportunity to show their worth before discarding them.
It would have been wonderful if we were at this stage in the summer before the Confederations Cup, where we could have used that tournament to look at these players but as we cannot turn back the hand of the clock, we just have to deal with the situation as it is. Given that you have opted for a 4-3-3 formation, it is easy to tell what our team requires and where the reinforcements are needed.
Our 23-man squad to the World Cup is almost certainly going to look something like this:
[1] Three goalkeepers
[2] Four fullbacks
[3] Four centerebacks
[4] Four central midfielders
[5] Two playmakers
[6] Two targetmen
[7] Four widemen
To even the casual observer, our weakest areas are currently in the two fullback positions, where we desperately lack two crossers and in the playmaker role, where we have nobody to feed the strikers. Past attempts to play our best player Mikel Obi as a playmaker have proved disastrous as for starters, he runs out of gas after 60 minutes and secondly, it denies the team of his long-range passing from deep.
More worrying is the fact that we simply do not have the option of scoring from crosses as we saw happen for our second goal against Italy. In the modern game, about 80% of crosses come from fullbacks, so if we do not sort this problem out, we will be on the way back from Brazil sooner, rather than later.
As things stand, our best squad looks something like this:
**************************Emenike****************************
**************Aluko**********************Moses***************
****************************Haruna***************************
**************Onazi***********************Mikel****************
***Oshaniwa********Oboabona**********Omeruo**********Esieme***
*****************************Enyeama***************************
Rest of the squad
[12] Austin Ejide
[13] Dele Alampasu
[14] Solomon Kwambe/Leon Balogun
[15] Uwa Echiejile/Benjamin Francis
[16] Azubike Egwuekwe
[17] Efe Ambrose/Kenny Otiga
[18] Joel Obi/Michael Olaitan
[19] Ramon Azeez
[20] Kelechi Iheanacho/Nosa Igiebor/Rabiu Ibrahim
[21] Shola Ameobi
[22] Chinedu Obasi
[23] Ahmed Musa
However, before we can agree on this squad, these players need to be tried and tested in friendly games. I suggest we use the March Fifa window judiciously as it is the last chance we will have.
We need all these 29 players in camp on March and have to try them all out, in what will be our most important pruning exercise of the World Cup programme. Fifa's March window may well determine if we fail or succeed in Brazil 2014.
Kind regards
Ayo Akinfe
Nigerian Watch
London
UK

Nigeria Will in Pot 2 for World Cup draw

Nigeria will be in Pot 2 when the draw for the 2014 World Cup holds on Friday in Brazil, FIFA has said.

FIFA on Tuesday released the make-up of the four pots that will be used for the draw.

As was known before the announcement, pot one consists of hosts Brazil along with the seven top-ranked teams – Belgium, Germany, Spain, Switzerland, Argentina, Colombia and Uruguay.

However, while it was widely expected that France might join the remaining South American and African nations to form another pot of eight, they have actually been placed in a group of nine with the other European qualifiers in pot four.

Pot two will contain Algeria, Cameroon, Ivory Coast, Ghana, Nigeria, Chile and Ecuador, while pot three is made up of Australia, Iran, Japan, South Korea, Costa Rica, Honduras, Mexico and the United States.

To ensure that all pots contain eight teams, one ball will be drawn from pot four at the beginning of the draw and placed into pot two.

As two nations from the same confederation are not permitted to be in the same group – with the exception of UEFA countries – the European team drawn from pot four in the pre-draw will immediately be assigned one of the four South American seeds, with the remaining three going back into the draw.

Along with France, pot four consists of Bosnia-Herzegovina, Croatia, England, Greece, Italy, Netherlands, Portugal and Russia.