No Reason To Panic - Keshi

[Folami David]

Coach Stephen Keshi has told Nigerians not to panic as the Super Eagles prepare for crucial 2014 World Cup qualifying games and the FIFA Confederations Cup tournament - all taking place in a number of weeks.
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A spate of injuries, first to Scotland-based midfielder Reuben Gabriel and ace forward Emmanuel Emenike, and lately to attacking midfielders Kalu Uche and Victor Moses, had caused anxiety in some quarters and is being hyper-ventilated in public spaces and a section of the media as 'problem in camp'.
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But Keshi, who steered less-endowed Togo to that country's only FIFA World Cup qualification eight years ago, said he was more than committed to leading his own country to next year's finals in Brazil, no matter the challenges.
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"I am never one to run away from challenges; I have confronted them head-on all my life. I have very good relationship with each and every of my players, with mutual respect and regard being the bedrock.
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"The players that we have invited for these matches are patriots and are always ready to defend the green-white-green. We have 16 players here now and team spirit is high. Everyone wants to play. What we will certainly not do is to beg anyone to play for Nigeria".
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Nigeria's longest-serving Captain said the late arrival of some players is to be expected at this time of the season: "Most of the players have just concluded very gruelling seasons and have need to sort out personal issues, and of course there are talks to hold ahead of next season.