New National Coach, Stephen Keshi Issues Warning To Players

Stephen Keshi talked tough at his unveiling Thursday as the new national coach of Nigeria, by sounding a verbal warning to players who try to drift out of control.

Attitudinal challenge had a hand in the failure of Nigeria to qualify for the Nations Cup as former coach, Samson Siasia on two occasions suspended two key players for infringing the rule. Former national captain, Keshi said he would not hesitate to sanction erring players as Nigeria is greater than anybody. Mikel Obi’s unwillingness to train on plastic pitch in Abuja during Wednesday’s morning session because he had a back injury, in addition to Vincent Enyeama’s failure to arrive with the team at Thursday’s training before the departure to Benin, were two instances that would test Keshi’s patience.

He, however, said that Mikel got a letter from Chelsea which confirmed his situation, prompting the decision of the technical crew to allow him to train alone on the stadium grass. “I trust him (Mikel) that the claim he made was real, otherwise I will act. Nigeria is greater than anybody.”

Keshi’s immediate predecessor, Samson Siasia stole the show as he breezed into the hall with his wife, Sandra, midway into the unveiling session. He also joined Keshi in presenting the latter’s signature Super Eagles N0 4 to shirt to the guests.

Though Keshi has a mandate to reach the semi final of South Africa 2013 and the quarter final of Brazil 2014, he deftly declined to set an openly target to the public. Rather he promised to give ‘200 per cent’ to the new job. “I appreciate the opportunity to take Nigeria forward and I am open to ideas that will help the team, but won’t promise I will take Nigeria to heaven. I will give everything, 200 per cent commitment to the job,” Keshi said.

According to him, the decision to accept the Eagles offer was a straight forward one, though he had offers from elsewhere and was on the verge of penning papers. He also said that he had taken his time before he decided to enter into contract with NFF, by studying the contract papers with his lawyers. This was apparently to avoid the similar pitfall that befell Siasia. “I am a professional. I studied the papers with my lawyers. If I work I should be paid” he said to a rapturous ovation.

NFF President, Aminu Maigari, told Keshi he was occupying the hottest seat in the football as any coach would be sacked if he fails to secure the results.