Keshi lifts the lid

Nigerian football has been riddled with drama in the past four months.

The battle for control of the country’s football ruling body, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has been so fierce, it threatened to affect events on the pitch.

A threat of a worldwide ban from world football governing body, Fifa hung over the country like a sword of Damocles as a result of the constant squabbles at the NFF.

On August 30, Amaju Pinnick was elected President of the NFF and 15 days later, he presided over a meeting by the country’s football chiefs sanctioning the sack of Super Eagles coach, Stephen Keshi.

Less than a month after that, Pinnick’s NFF were left reeling as that decision was rescinded-Keshi was recalled, leaving a nation stunned.

The official kite flown by the NFF following the dramatic recall of “the Big Boss” was that Amodu Shaibu, the man appointed to replace Keshi had pleaded for his return.

NFF’s technical committee chairman, Felix Anyansi-Agwu and President Amaju Pinnick remarkably put a seal of approval on the trainer’s recall with the latter belatedly adding that he “never had anything against Keshi as a person”.

However, there were whispers that Keshi’s recall had nothing to do with Amodu, the NFF’s technical committee or Pinnick.

Nigeria’s President, Goodluck Jonathan had met with the NFF chiefs hours before Keshi’s recall and it was rumoured that he specifically requested that the “Big Boss” be handed the reins of the national team again, just days after his dismissal.

In our usual style, supersport.com decided to put the speculations to bed by having a tête-à-tête with the Big Boss.

He speaks on his shock at first learning he’d been sacked and the dramatic chain of events that led to his recall.

The former Nigeria captain also discussed the his plans as regards prosecuting the upcoming 2015 Africa Nations Cup (Afcon) qualifying matches against Congo and South Africa-games the Super Eagles must win if they are to defend their title in Morocco next year.

supersport.com: Hello Big Boss, it has been a truly dramatic last four months for you.

Stephen Keshi: Yeah it has but then I guess I am used to these things now. I captained the national team for fourteen years and have been assistant coach under Bonfrere (Johannes) and Amodu (Shaibu).

I have always faced such kinds of pressure so I will say I am used to it.

supersport.com: Did you expect to be sacked on October 15?

Stephen Keshi: To be honest with you, no. I did not expect to be sacked at that time.

The reason is that just a few hours before I got the news, we had played a game against Sudan and Nigerians saw a team with fighting spirit defeat the North Africans.

The spirit was high in the camp. The players were like Lions….they were all raring to go and they told me after the game that they were all ready to die on the pitch in our next two games against Congo and South Africa.

Everything was perfect and we were all thinking about taking Nigeria to the 2015 Afcon so to hear, just a few hours after that game, that I had been sacked was shocking to say the least.

supersport.com: How were you informed your services were no longer required?

Stephen Keshi: I was told by my secretary.

supersport.com: Did you expect the President of the country to intervene and order for your recall?

Stephen Keshi: No, I did not. I recall that I received a call from the Sports Minister (Tammy Danagogo). He intimated me on the latest developments and that was that.

supersport.com: You still have to work with the NFF that sacked you just days ago. How awkward will that be?

Stephen Keshi: (Smiles) Those who really know me will tell you I don’t think about such things. I am a patriotic Nigerian but also a professional to the core.

I will have no problems whatsoever working with the NFF. The NFF President has also stated that he has nothing person.

No one should insinuate that I have any problems with the NFF because I don’t.

People should understand that this is our country and the interest of the nation is most important.

supersport.com: You have handed Ikchukwu Uche a recall…..

Stephen Keshi: I said last month that I will never discuss Ikechukwu Uche with the media again and I will stand by that so please no questions on this subject. Thank you.

supersport.com: Fair enough but what about Victor Moses. Why did you leave him out?

Stephen Keshi: I left him out because he’s just coming back from injury and we don’t want to take any risks.

Everyone knows what I think of Victor. He’s a good kid and very talented footballer but at this point, for the upcoming games, we don’t want to take any risks.

The first game we will play in Pointe-Noire, Congo will be on an artificial surface and a lot of players don’t react well to that.

I would not want him to aggravate the injury….you also have to think of the players too….

supersport.com: Brown Ideye was left out too.

Stephen Keshi: Ideye is also a good kid. Like you know, he was also recently injured.

And the truth is that since his return, he’s not been playing much for his club. He needs to play more but I’m okay with him. No problems at all.

The truth is that this country is blessed with a lot of very good players and not everyone can be asked to play at the same time.

supersport.com: John Mikel Obi is included despite widespread calls for him to be dropped?

Stephen Keshi: Mikel brings a lot of professionalism to the team. He’s a fighter. He hates losing with a passion.

In training sessions, it’s the same-always professional and always serious minded.

I hate to say this but it seems some Nigerians don’t like thinking about the past because the Mikel that is criticized so much today is the same Mikel that was praised by almost all Nigerians during the 2013 Afcon in South Africa.

Has he suddenly become a bad footballer? I think we need to understand that no human being can perform at the same level every day.

I am not just talking about football but every sphere of human endeavour. No one can perform at the same level every day. You have good days and bad days.

We must learn to be patient with our players and coaches.

I don’t have any problem with Mikel or any of my players.

supersport.com: Some say you are scared of keeping Mikel on the bench. Is that true?

Stephen Keshi: (Laughs) That is not true. I left Mikel out of the team for seven months before I recalled him.

I dropped (Emmanuel) Emenike for reporting late to camp before our first (2015 Afcon qualifying) game against Congo.

Nobody, I repeat, nobody is bigger than the team. If you are not giving one hundred and ten percent, you will have no place in this team.

All the players know this and that is how it has been since I took over in 2011.

supersport.com: Sunday Mba was the hero when Nigeria won the 2013 Afcon but you he’s been consistently missing in your team. Why?

Stephen Keshi: Mba is currently playing in the National (third division) in France. We have not spoken for awhile.

Every Nigerians footballer, irrespective of where you play can play for this team.

As long as you are playing at a decent level and playing regularly for your club, you have a chance.

supersport.com: There is a big clamour for Obafemi Martins who has been in great form for Seattle Sounders to be recalled?

Stephen Keshi: I invited Obafemi during the 2014 World Cup qualifiers. He did not perform too well back then and I told him so.

I have been monitoring his progress in the States and I am happy he’s doing quite well. I will give him another chance.

Like I said, I will give players the opportunity wherever they play.

I have also been asked about Bright Dike who plays in the States just like Obafemi.

Some people forget I gave Dike the opportunity of first playing for the national team.

He plays in the same position and style as Emmanuel Emenike. He was injured but he’s okay now.

supersport.com: You have been much maligned in recent days. Some of the fans turned against you. Why did you not just walk away in the face of so much criticism?

Stephen Keshi: I did not walk away because that would have been disrespectful to the President and Commander in Chief.

The President of my country asked that I return and if I had said no, the same people criticizing me would have been at the forefront saying I am rude to the nation’s number one citizen.

I am humbled that the President did what he did and I promise not to disappoint him or the 170 million Nigerians who support this team.

supersport.com: How are you preparing for those two big games against Congo and South Africa?

Stephen Keshi: We know them…very well. South Africa will be fired up following the death of their goal keeper (Senzo Meyiwa).

They have not lost or conceded a goal since the qualifiers started and they will be eager to continue in that run.

We faced Congo first, in Calabar and to be honest, that result (Nigeria lost 2-3 to the Red Devils) was not what we expected.

We have been watching the tapes of the four games they played earlier, looking at their strengths and weaknesses.

I am confident in the 25 players I called up for this latest assignment and I am sure they will deliver.

Nigerians should please, support this team as that will be the only way we can achieve success.