Revelation

[SunNews]

By OJIEVA EHIOSUN

As Nigeria prepares for the 2014 World Cup qualifying match billed for June, former New Nigerian Bank and Insurance of Benin FC midfielder, Ugbo Goodluck, has called on Coach Stephen Keshi to invite result-oriented players, who can pick the World Cup ticket for the country and go ahead to make Nigeria proud in Brazil next year.

In an exclusive chat with Sunday Sunsports in Benin, the Edo State capital, the ex-player, who lived in England, said that he's not happy with the way the Super Eagles' coach is going about the preparation of the Nigerian team for the coming World Cup. He advised that Keshi should not dump experienced and talented players, who can make the country proud at the Mundial simply because they are stubborn. He added that if one should mention rude and stubborn players, that Keshi, in his days as a player, would top the list.

Goodluck went further to reveal how Keshi's attitude led to his suspension from the Eagles' camp during his playing days, which made him to run to Cote d'Ivoire with Edema Benson, Humphrey Edobor, Henry Nwosu, among others.

Keshi and his Eagles

A coach who wants result will always look at what a player can offer and not to dump him simply for speaking his mind.

Keshi must not forget in a hurry what took him to Cote d'Ivoire alongside Edema Benson, Henry Nwosu, Humphrey Edobor and few others. That was between 1985 and 86. It was his stubbornness that took him to Cote d'Ivoire before he moved to Belgium. He should remember that he was suspended from the national team and it was that suspension that made him to escape to Cote d'Ivoire.

Keshi, in his days, was a very stubborn player. In fact, he was the leader of the Eagles' notorious cabal, which earned him the sobriquet: 'The Big Boss'. So, with his experience, he should understand players' attitude and try to manage them.

He cannot continue to exclude some of the nation's key players from his list simply because they are outspoken, or call it stubborn, and expect to get good results. It's his duty to inquire and know his players' individual problems, understand why they behave the way they behave and know how to help them out of such situations.

Keshi should not think that he has arrived. It's not yet Uhuru for Nigeria in football. I'm not too happy that Keshi still left out Obafemi Martins, Osaze Odemwingie and others who I believe have the capacity to help Nigeria qualify for the World Cup. He should not crucify Osaze because he said his mind. I do not see Osaze as a stubborn or arrogant player as most people portray him. Most of the players who are making waves in Europe are very stubborn, but their managers cannot abandon them just like that. Any coach that knows his onion will not bring in sentiment in his job when he knows that he needs results. Mind you, Keshi is my very good friend. I do not have anything against him. But I'm talking about putting the interest of the nation first. He needs experienced and result-oriented players to actualise his World Cup dream. Osaze does not talk just because he wants people to hear him, no. There must be a reason behind his talk.

I was in London during the Nations Cup in South Africa and I had an opportunity to speak with Osaze, and I know what he told me. His problem with the West Brom's manager is that the manager did not allow him to join Queens Park Rangers, while his assistant wanted him to go. So, the young man felt cheated and anybody in his position would react the way he did.

Okpala's sack

The decision by the NFF to sack Sylvanus Okpala from the Eagles' technical crew was a wrong one, because Okpala was highly instrumental to Nigeria's victory at the Nations Cup in South Africa.

I don't understand what the NFF meant by downsizing. For me, they should only downsize the estacode they share during tournaments and use the money to pay Okpala? I think Aminu Maigari and his men at the Glass House were unfair to the man.

Again, why must they pay others their full entitlements and pay Okpala only 50 per cent of his entitlement? In fact, I see those managers at the NFF as politicians. They're after their pockets alone. I don't see Maigari as someone that knows much about football. He cannot be compared to people like Segun Odegbami, Adokiye Amaesimaka and some other ex-footballers known for their managerial qualities.

And if I may ask, what business does Barrister Chris Green has with football management, let alone heading the Technical Department of the NFF? It is time for us to take a look at these abnormalities in our football management and put things right.

Via: Sun News Online