Keshi Defends World Cup List Tuesday

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Keshi Defends World Cup List Tuesday

Abuja, By Salifu Usman

— April 7, 2014

Except for a last minute changes, Super Eagles head coach, Stephen
Keshi will finally defend his much 35-man provisional list for the
2014 World Cup before the technical committee of the Nigeria Football
Federation (NFF) today.
The much awaited provisional list has been a subject of media debate
lately with both the technical committee and the coach appears to be
on collision and divided over the choice of players that will make the
list.
Chairman of the technical committee, Chris Green while speaking to
newsmen recently in Abuja, assured that the committee will not attempt
to impose any player on the former handler of the Togo and Mali’s
national teams.
“While we believe that only players that are playing well for their clubs should be invited because the World Cup is not a tea party, our job is a simple task.
Keshi has the overall decision on who goes to Brazil and fits into his
World Cup plan,” stated.
However, a top member of the technical committee who spoke LEADERSHIP
Sports on a condition of anonymity, insisted that they will not allow
the Big Boss, as Keshi fondly called to name any of his misfire CHAN
player for Brazil’s World Cup.
He vowed even as the committee will not want to interfere in the coach selection of players, it will ensure that the best are pick for the summer World Cup in Brazil.
“Our duty is to ensure that the players the coach will invited for the World Cup merit the invitation. World Cup is not a place to start experiment
players, so we must hit Brazil with our best legs.
“We can’t afford to gamble with those boys that misfire in the South
Africa’s CHAN tournament. I am sure the coach know exactly what to do
and he will even not try mention any those misfire boys name before
the committee because none of them can withstand the hit of soccer
that will be on display in Brazil,” he said.
Keshi had suggested that he may give opportunity to two or three of
the boys that distinguished themselves in the South Africa’s
tournament to fight for shirt in his World Cup squad.
“Some of them will make the team to the World Cup. It is just that I cannot disclose who, and who among them will make my list now but later I will bring
it out from my pocket,” Keshi was quoted in the media recently.