Browsing: Stephen Keshi

Addressing the players at the team’s evening training in Rustenberg, South Africa on Sunday evening, Keshi said the team may have been hard done by some calls by officiating officials but they should learn to finish games well and with wide margins before such calls are made

Reacting to Friday’s shock officiating, which culminated in a dubious penalty award to Zambia by the Egyptian referee, team skipper, Joseph Yobo, said while he would not want to question the officials, he will want to appeal for fairness, so that the best team will always win

The former National team handler also admonished Nigerians to stop debating on the final list of players for the African Cup of Nations since Keshi has decided on the players he is taking to the Nations Cup

Meanwhile, the national team has celebrated the naming of first choice keeper, Vincent Enyeama, as Africa’s best goalkeeper for last year, with Keshi urging Enyeama to demonstrate his selection by putting up a solid performance at the African Cup of Nations 2013 championship in South Africa

Addressing the players and officials in company with the Director of Elite Athletes, Dr. Bolaji Ojo-Oba, and President of the Nigeria Football Federation, Alhaji AMinu Maigari, Abdulahi said that President Goodluck Jonathan approved all his requests for a successful outing at the Nations Cup

Even before the players were asked to go, three coaches – Sylvanu Okpala (MON), Ike Shorunmi and Hyoundonou Valere – took the players to a section of the dinning hall for special counseling and words of encouragement and assured them that they are still part and parcel of the team and will be recalled once the team returns from the Nations Cup championship and starts hostilities in the World Cup qualifiers