He is now in Abuja to meet with his employers, the Nigeria Football Federation, and have heart to heart talk about the loaded programme of the Super Eagles in June, which include the 2014 World Cup qualifying matches against Kenya and Namibia as well as the FIFA Confederation Cup in Brazil
Browsing: Stephen Keshi
Speaking from his base in the United States of America where he is holidaying, the former Eagles defender, popularly known as the Big Boss, allayed fears on the preparations for the two 2014 World Cup qualifying matches as well as the FIFA Confederation tournament in which Nigeria would be representing Africa later
The player however happily disclosed that he is slowly recuperating from the injury that has deprived him of first team appearance for his club and country
‘This made some of the ex-internationals like the Super Eagles Coach Stephen Keshi; ex-Eagles handler, Samson Siasia; Peter Rufai; Taribo West; Austin Okocha; and Kanu Nwankwo to come together to say just as they honour former South Africa President, Dr. Nelson Mandela, with the Mandela Cup, they decided to do something like this for Chief Edwin Clark who has been there for all of us’
When squeezed for his reaction on the matter, Siasia, who has just been appointed as the Director of Football Development in Bayelsa State, said the situation is injurious to the aspirations of the team to qualify for the 2014 Mundial since Keshi needs the full backing of the NFF and a healthy relationship to be able to actualize his dreams of qualifying the nation for the Brazil 2014 World Cup
Competent sources in Abuja quoted Emeka Inyama, Head of the Media Committee of the NFF, as saying that the committee lacks the power to cut Keshi’s pay
This football drama reminds one of what appears like a tradition in most high profile schools in Nigeria
Speaking from his base in Israel to Eagles Media Officer, Ben Alaiya, Enyeama said whether Yobo is a starter for the national team or not, all the players of the team still believe in his leadership qualities, same as the coaching crew headed by Stephen Keshi
He said: “We spoke just right after winning the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations and since then we have not spoken and no one has got in touch with me since then and I feel that as the captain of the national team, I should have been informed
A breakdown shows that each of the 23 footballers got N1 million; the Super Eagles Chief Coach, Stephen Keshi, collected N2 million; four assistant coaches received N1 million each; while 17 officials got N.5 million each
When both players finally made it to the Canaan City, they were told in no uncertain terms to relax in the hotel and await the next training session by Wednesday evening.
They agreed
Keshi says he expects a full house by Tuesday morning, adding that training will be the same time and all players expected should have been in, as he needs a good number of training sessions for the team to jell against Kenya
Those who will not make it to Calabar will only know at dinner time on Sunday evening because of the respect Keshi says he has for all invited players
Reacting to media reports on the matter, Alaiya said the truth of the matter was that an official of the team, in person of Team Secretary, Dayo Enebi Achor, has been in constant touch with the player since he left for Russia after the AFCON in February and they still spoke on Saturday
The Flying Eagles spent an hour at the match venue for Sunday’s showdown against Mali on Saturday evening
But Keshi said earlier training scheduled for Monday evening at the Practice Pitch of the Abuja National Stadium has now been shifted to Tuesday morning at the same venue
The Flying Eagles are the defending champions and Keshi, who led Nigeria to win a third Africa Cup of Nations title last month in South Africa, said he has full confidence in the country’s U20 team
According to the Media Officer of the Super Eagles, Ben Alaiya, the list also has four the members of the Nations Cup winning squad, namely Chigozie Agbim, Gabriel Reuben, Papa Idris and Azubuike Egwuekwe
The big boss, who spoke during an interview session with South Africa-based Supersports, said the two parties have resolved their differences and were ready to work harmoniously
Also, President of the Spanish Football Federation, Angel Maria Villar Llona, in a letter dated February 11, 2013, congratulated Maigaria and the NFF for the triumph