Keshi Gone For Good?
Keshi's Overview
Keshi resigns, Keshi re-appointed, Keshi's contract ended, Keshi sacked, Keshi
re-appointed and now Keshi sacked... those were the headlines that dominated the Nigerian media world at different intervals.
Whilst the football fans were busy watching the Copa America finals or probably the Women's World Cup third place match, news started filtering through the social media platforms that the executive committee of the Nigerian Football Association had sacked the Super Eagles manager Stephen Okechukwu Keshi for allegedly applying for the vacant position to manage the Ivory Coast Well. Within minutes, the official statement was released to confirm the dismissal of the former Nigerian Captain.
The "Big Boss" as he is popularly known by the Nigeria football world is not new to controversies. He was once banned from playing football in Nigeria due to disciplinary issues. With his football career in despair, the former New Nigerian Bank of Benin player decided to determine his destiny - He moved from Ivory Coast where he played for Stade d' Abijan before moving to African Sports - it was there that he caught the eyes of scouts who took him down to Belgium. Of course the rest is history as Keshi opened the door for future and prospective Nigeria professionals moving to Begium which became the Mecca of Nigerian football players.
I have followed Stephen Keshi for about 32 years and from a personal perspective, He was the best Nigerian Central Defender. However, this is subject to debate depending on the generational gaps between fans. Some older football fans will argue that Christian Chukwu is the best but I was not old enough to compare both players. Keshi was so reliable that I always felt so relaxed seeing him marshall the central defence. He was such a leader and I actually knew that he was going to be a coach.
Keshi has shown over the years to be a pacesetter. His entry into Begium paved way for all prospective professionals like Samson Siasia, Augustine Eguavoen, Osaro Obobaifo (RIP) Etim Esin and many more. Stephen Keshi is a hero in his own right.
Ivorian Application Trouble
Keshi signed a new 2 year deal to be re-appointed as Super Eagles manager with some clauses in the contract that would almost make it impossible for him to work freely. Now to most football plaudits, the marriage between the NFF and "the big boss" was a forced one (supposedly from above ). It was known to most football observers that all it will take is the right opportunity for the time bomb to explode. News broke out that Keshi was one of the many applicants for the managerial position displayed on the Ivorian Football Federation website.
His agent came out to the defence of his client on social media to deny any application. The NFF made a swift response to the situation by sending Barister Chris Green (Head of the Disciplinary Committee) to Ivory Coast. Based on information gathered, it was discovered that he actually applied for the role via a french agent - Hermann Brice De Souza, but when the news started making the headlines De Souza withdrew the application. The executive committee decided to terminate his appointment because they felt that there was a breach of agreement. They felt they could no longer trust him anymore.
Keshi was sacked and the interim affairs was handed over to Salisu Yusuf and Amodu Shaibu.
Keshi Success Story
Amidst all that is going on, it is very important that we do not loose sight of Keshi's achievements. He took over the Super Eagles role when the team were in an all time low. He took over the role after Samson Siasia led team failed to qualify for the African Cup of Nations 2012. He picked up the pieces that was left and began to rebuild the team.
Short Comings
After the Nations Cup success, there appeared to be a gradual downward slop in the team.
My opinion
I do not like the circumstances surrounding his sudden departure . However, I think he should have left after the World Cup when the ovation was at its loudest . Stephen Keshi is a leader and his team plays for him. But as with my stance on our local coaches, I think at the moment he can't offer anything more. He needs to refresh himself and come back stronger. It is time for Super Eagles to get some fresh infusion.
NB : At the time of writing, the Nigerian football body were in talks with Sunday Oliseh with the aim of managing Super Eagles
Twitter - amoky
Keshi resigns, Keshi re-appointed, Keshi's contract ended, Keshi sacked, Keshi
re-appointed and now Keshi sacked... those were the headlines that dominated the Nigerian media world at different intervals.
Whilst the football fans were busy watching the Copa America finals or probably the Women's World Cup third place match, news started filtering through the social media platforms that the executive committee of the Nigerian Football Association had sacked the Super Eagles manager Stephen Okechukwu Keshi for allegedly applying for the vacant position to manage the Ivory Coast Well. Within minutes, the official statement was released to confirm the dismissal of the former Nigerian Captain.
The "Big Boss" as he is popularly known by the Nigeria football world is not new to controversies. He was once banned from playing football in Nigeria due to disciplinary issues. With his football career in despair, the former New Nigerian Bank of Benin player decided to determine his destiny - He moved from Ivory Coast where he played for Stade d' Abijan before moving to African Sports - it was there that he caught the eyes of scouts who took him down to Belgium. Of course the rest is history as Keshi opened the door for future and prospective Nigeria professionals moving to Begium which became the Mecca of Nigerian football players.
I have followed Stephen Keshi for about 32 years and from a personal perspective, He was the best Nigerian Central Defender. However, this is subject to debate depending on the generational gaps between fans. Some older football fans will argue that Christian Chukwu is the best but I was not old enough to compare both players. Keshi was so reliable that I always felt so relaxed seeing him marshall the central defence. He was such a leader and I actually knew that he was going to be a coach.
Keshi has shown over the years to be a pacesetter. His entry into Begium paved way for all prospective professionals like Samson Siasia, Augustine Eguavoen, Osaro Obobaifo (RIP) Etim Esin and many more. Stephen Keshi is a hero in his own right.
 |
| Keshi and Pinnick |
Keshi signed a new 2 year deal to be re-appointed as Super Eagles manager with some clauses in the contract that would almost make it impossible for him to work freely. Now to most football plaudits, the marriage between the NFF and "the big boss" was a forced one (supposedly from above ). It was known to most football observers that all it will take is the right opportunity for the time bomb to explode. News broke out that Keshi was one of the many applicants for the managerial position displayed on the Ivorian Football Federation website.
His agent came out to the defence of his client on social media to deny any application. The NFF made a swift response to the situation by sending Barister Chris Green (Head of the Disciplinary Committee) to Ivory Coast. Based on information gathered, it was discovered that he actually applied for the role via a french agent - Hermann Brice De Souza, but when the news started making the headlines De Souza withdrew the application. The executive committee decided to terminate his appointment because they felt that there was a breach of agreement. They felt they could no longer trust him anymore.
Keshi was sacked and the interim affairs was handed over to Salisu Yusuf and Amodu Shaibu.
Keshi Success Story
Amidst all that is going on, it is very important that we do not loose sight of Keshi's achievements. He took over the Super Eagles role when the team were in an all time low. He took over the role after Samson Siasia led team failed to qualify for the African Cup of Nations 2012. He picked up the pieces that was left and began to rebuild the team.
- He was able to integrate some home based players into the national team after a long time. Godfrey Obaobona, Juwon Oshaniwa and Sunday Mba were some fruits of home based project
- Certain young players became an integral part of the Super Eagles. Kenneth Omeruo and Onazi Ogenyi were some of the core players in the team.
- He gave Nigeria what they have longed for a while which was winning the African Cup of Nations after 19 years. Sunday Mba one of the home based players was the main hero of the tournament.
- He secured a World Cup qualification for Nigeria to Brazil and Nigeria progressed to the round of 16 - the first time since 1998
Short Comings
After the Nations Cup success, there appeared to be a gradual downward slop in the team.
- Some of his selections were questionable and the team to the World Cup lacked balance on a whole.
- The team struggled a great deal against weak opponents like Sudan for example.
- Nigeria lost her first ever home defeat since 1981 to Congo.. some will argue that the NFF crises partly contributed to it.
- The Super Eagles failed to qualify for the 2015 African Cup of Nations
- Stephen Keshi as a coach have his limitations. He does not have his own personal philosophy, His reading of the games on match day situation wasn't the best (a major flaw of Local Coaches). Hardly employ the right tactics and in my opinion - his technical crew did little to help.
My opinion
I do not like the circumstances surrounding his sudden departure . However, I think he should have left after the World Cup when the ovation was at its loudest . Stephen Keshi is a leader and his team plays for him. But as with my stance on our local coaches, I think at the moment he can't offer anything more. He needs to refresh himself and come back stronger. It is time for Super Eagles to get some fresh infusion.
NB : At the time of writing, the Nigerian football body were in talks with Sunday Oliseh with the aim of managing Super Eagles
Twitter - amoky
Comments
Post a Comment