Former Super Eagles manager Stephen Keshi has
thrown a parting shot at Nigerian football, saying
the country should stop seeing itself as a serious
football nation because it was still lagging behind
in many vital areas needed to attain such levels.
The former Togo and former Mali manager noted,
for instance, that but for his intervention, the
Akwa Ibom State governor was planning to lay
artificial grass on the newly built world-class Uyo
Stadium. That venue will host the decisive clash
of the Super Eagles with South Africa next month.
“How
many
good
pitches do we have in this country? Keshi queried.
We say we are a football nation and we don’t
even have good training pitches for the national
team, or good field to play on. Instead, there are
artificial pitches everywhere, even the new
Stadium in Uyo.
It was when I heard from the governor that they
wanted to use artificial pitch that I had to shout
and tell him no way. That is how they used
natural grass pitch there. But why should I be the
one to say it? Where are the journalists?”
He said he was proud of his achievements during
his spell as Nigeria’s manager.
“People keep saying I drew a lot of matches. But
how many Nigerian coaches agreed to play
friendly matches all the time or to use home-
based players without fear? But people don’t see
that. Every time it’s Keshi this and Keshi that.
Then they say I always try to use the President
against them. President that I cannot even see!”
He also said he was happy that the drama was
finally over, as was his family.
“I am not bitter. I’m just disappointed in some of
you,” he pointed out, referring to journalists. “Now
people can stop talking about Keshi.”
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