Several Nigerians unhappy with Keshi’s appointment

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Firstclass newsline has learnt that several Nigerians are not happy with keshi's appointment especially soccer fans in Kaduna who on Wednesday expressed disappointment with the re-appointment of Stephen Keshi as coach of the Super Eagles by the Nigeria Football Federation.

Keshiwas on Tuesday re-engaged for two years after a prolonged re-negotiation of his contract.

Some people who spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria in Kaduna said that his return was not acceptable as he failed to secure the country the ticket to the last Africa Cup of Nations staged in Equatorial Guinea.

John Fwah, a former Sports Editor of the defunct Kaduna-based New Nigerian Newspapers, said the decision by NFF was in bad taste as the performance of the coach was poor.

“I am not happy with his return. His performance was below expectation. The team needs a serious-minded coach that will improve their performance,” he said.

Vincent Akinbanmi also said the decision to return Keshi was wrong.

“When coaches perform badly the way Keshi did, the best option is to let the coach go.”

He said the usual practice was when you set a target and a coach failed to meet it, you allow the fellow to move on.

“I hope the decision will not further affect the backward slide of the national team in the FIFA monthly ranking. Nigeria’s ranking has gone down very well. We need a good coach that will propel us forward,” Akinbanmi said.

For James John, a trader, the return of Keshi as head coach “shows that the NFF has special interest in him.”

He said his performance with the team was not encouraging and ought to be replaced.

“I don’t think the NFF made the right decision because when you look at his performance, it is below average.

“We need someone who will bring back joy and glory to the nation,’’ John said.

“Football is the only game that brings Nigerians together irrespective of religion and tribe. Our Eagles since Keshi took over have been boring,” John said.

He said the national team had always thrown away their chances of scoring goals during matches.

“Their matches are so disappointing that one begins to wonder if they train well ahead of matches. If we want to promote football, we should select a good coach that will promote discipline in the team.

“Players in the national team will need to be disciplined so that at competitions, they will realise that the game helps to promote unity in the country.”


Ahmed Sani, a football fan, said the way forward would be to recruit an experienced foreign coach.

“The head coach, Keshi, should be sent on attachment to be groomed for future assignments. His return is unfortunate as he will take things for granted,” Sani said.
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