African Sports Monthly February 2013 Issue | Page 19

usual politicking of the Nigerian Football Federation. A week to the tournament, it was
reported that they tried to replace him. I share Keshi’s views that coaches from Africa
should be encouraged to develop, rather than employ foreign coaches, who may not
necessarily be the best and will not help the development of football as they are only
there for the money.
What Keshi did do was instill discipline into the team by weeding out all the trouble
makers and picking a young side made up of local players and players from abroad.
He also got them playing a fluid brand of football, which we have not seen since 1994.
What cannot be overlooked was the experience Keshi brought to the table considering
he has been involved with the National team as a player and coach for the best part of
over 30 years. He would also have told the players what it means to represent Nigeria.

Coach S

ictory
lebrates v
shi ce
tephen Ke

Like Italy at the 1982 World Cup, this Nigerian team started slowly and began to show
signs of a quality team as they labored past Ethiopia in their last group game. By the
time they got to the quarter final against Ivory Coast, the team had shown that they
were on the verge of greatness. Nigerian’s front four of Ideye Brown, Emmanuel Emenike, Victor Moses and local boy Sunday Mba were probably the best quartet in this
tournament. What was particularly unique about this quartet was that they could play
anywhere and their movement was too much for teams like Ivory Coast, whom they
19