The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) made it clear on Monday that it does not expect anything less than an outright win when the Super Eagles confront Ethiopia in their final Group C match.
Apparently the federation hierarchy are already panicking about an early exit.
Two draws in as many matches have now rendered Tuesday's encounter a must-win for Nigeria, and the NFF said there is no excuse for the players and technical crew to fail.
Top official Emeka Inyama, said: "This team has received tremendous support from the government, the football federation and the good and great people of our country.
"There is nothing the players or the head coach and his crew have requested for that we have failed to provide.
"After qualifying for this championship, the team has played a number of friendly matches and everything that is needed to spur players and officials on have been provided for them.
"All that is left now is for the team to go all out and show high level of commitment and patriotic fervour in getting the job done.
"Before the kick-off of the championship and despite limited financial muscle, the NFF ensured payment of the salaries of all members of the technical crew till the end of January."
NFF board member Chris Green admitted that there is no excuse for the team not to beat Ethiopia Tuesday.
"There is no reason whatsoever for the team to fail. The NFF has done its own part, done virtually everything required of the Federation to prepare a team for a competition and motivate that team.
"The draws against Burkina Faso and Zambia were uncalled for, but those matches are behind us and we have a huge opportunity to put things right against the Ethiopians," he said.
This game and tournament look set to decide whether the NFF bring the axe down on Keshi or keep faith for a little longer.
A fresh player fall-out, this time with captain Joseph Yobo following the captain's revelation that he was fit for the Zambia game.
And another run-in with Brown Ideye, Nosa Igiebor and Victor Moses' quest to play in attack won't help Keshi and will cause more concern that he is losing his grip on things in the dressing room.
Interestingly, Keshi was quick to play down all these speculations. "We are not distracted but ready for this big game against Ethiopia." he said.
The former Nigeria captain is understood to have been told to focus on team selection and tactics and leave the speculations over his future to the NFF board.
However, Keshi has bigger and more immediate problems. A source said: "The truth is Yobo is fit and was ready before the Zambia game. The coach left it late to explain he won't be facing Zambia.
"The captain was happy that the young players were given a chance but unhappy with contrary report over his fitness. There are fears he might quit the tournament and return to Turkey.
"Another headache is that Ahmed Musa, Brown Ideye and Victor Moses all want to play in attack.
"Forget what they tell you, Emenike is also frustrated upfront alone, to think no one is even saying anything about Ike Uche who has been very quiet but frustrated.
"They must beat Ethiopia otherwise the coach has nothing more to do with the Super Eagles."
What Nigeria will do if they decide to pull the trigger is unclear.
African World Cup qualifying resumes in March with troubled Super Eagles at home to Kenya. This is like déjà vu all over again.
While many experts blame the NFF's poor management practices for the revolving door of coaches, others point to lack of talents and dedicated players.
The high turnover of national team coaches means the Super Eagles lack the managerial stability needed to effect a long-term plan for success.
Nigeria's revolving door of coaches
Jo Bonfrere (1999–2001)
Shaibu Amodu (2001–2002)
Festus Onigbinde (2002)
Christian Chukwu (2002–2005)
Augustine Eguavoen (2005–2007)
Berti Vogts (2007–2008)
James Peters (2008)
Shaibu Amodu (2008–2010)
Lars Lagerbäck (2010)
Augustine Eguavoen (2010)
Samson Siasia (2010–2011)
Stephen Keshi (2011–)
Photo: AFP
A nice and mouth watering info,players misbehaving while nigerians at their various home are being mounted on pressure,causing heart attact. NO BI DEM FAULT,na pple wey bi there so called manger or godfather dt buy their way in.all the same the game is not far anymore and the last whistle gonna decides.As i sounded earlier,is happening down here,at every newspaper stand i pity sports loving nigerians as they gathered trying to minus,subtract and keep adding how the table will see our qulification.Finally,members of the glass house should apologised to Amodu but for Keshi,the exit is widely open.
ReplyDeleteone nigerian told us in Nelspruit but we didn't beliebe him. now we know he was right.
ReplyDelete