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Give Keshi A Chance. He’s Got The Right Approach. By Demola Aluko

By     Demola Aluko…………….

Nigeria finished third at the just concluded African Nations Championship in South Africa after losing to Ghana in the semi-final on penalty shoot-out.

CHAN is put together by CAF to showcase local talents in the continent. Super Eagles coach, Stephen Keshi has consistently expressed confidence in the squad made up of strictly home based professionals, even after conceding defeat to the Black Stars of Ghana.

Ironically, a cross section of Nigerians have criticised the team for failing to win the tournament on their debut. But Keshi and his technical crew were rather concerned about how they could strengthen the Super Eagles squad with the inclusion of a couple of players from the Nigerian league as part of efforts to ensuring that the country is represented by a strong squad in Brazil this summer.

Unlike some of his continental representatives at the forthcoming global tournament, Keshi, is looking to including some home based professionals in his team to Brazil as long as they are able to fight for their shirts. One would not be wrong to say the gesture contributed immensely to Nigeria’s successful outing at last year’s AFCON in South Africa.

Beyond the level-playing ground approach, the ”big boss” also goes a step further to feature some of these players in major tournaments. Such is the case of Sunday Mba, who as a local player became Nigeria’s revelation and hero at the 2013 AFCON in South Africa, scoring the decisive goal that ensured the country was crowned African champions for the third time, nineteen years after current coach, Stephen Keshi won the continental event as captain.

Though, the Super Eagles were eliminated at the group stage of the 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup in Brazil, the squad, which included eight home based professional players had a decent outing in Brazil.

If Nigerians give him a chance, Keshi’s approach will surely yield more positive results as well as lead to the discovery of more talents, both locally and internationally.

Today, Nigeria’s big names abroad like Osaze Odemwengie, Victor Anichebe, Ike Uche, Victor Obinna, even former captain Joseph Yobo will have to fight with their last sweat to wear the national colour. This is what the team had lacked until recently.

The discovery of talents like Sunday Mba, Ejike Uzoenyi, Gabriel Reuben, Solomon Kwambe ,  Bright Esieme, Ugonna Uzochukwu, Azubuike Egwuekwe among others is a factor that will bring the best out of Nigerian players both home and abroad as the technical crew will have no choice, but to pick the best among the lot.