It has been “royal rumble” of words between Sunday Oliseh and Super Eagles chief coach Steven Okechukwu Keshi over the former’s criticism of the amount of home-based players who were paraded at the last FIFA Confederation’s Cup Tournament held in Brazil.
Oliseh had criticised Keshi for taking as much as eight home-based players to the FIFA Confederation’s Cup, and accused him of being too reliant on the Glo Premier League stars.
But Keshi in responding to Oliseh’s criticism described the former Borrusia Dortmund maestro’s claims as shameful since he was once a home-based player.
“It is a shame that Sunday Oliseh could say a thing like that. He was a nobody when he came to the national team. He started from home too, when he came to the national team, I took him as a younger brother. I later (as an assistant coach to Amodu Shuabu) made him captain and he became a super star. Who knows what these boys could become in future?”
Given the two ex-footballers’ history as high controversial figures during their playing days, this might not come as a surprise. The contention here is, should the Super Eagles rely on home based players for internationally organised tournaments or should we rely solely on foreign based professionals?
It is not out of place for an ex-footballer who had captained Nigeria at the largest stage to identify lapses and attempt to correct them, after all it is all for the good of the game. On the other hand, given Keshi’s experience in African football we cannot help but board his boat, when he takes team selection decisions.
Now, who brought the much coveted African Cup of Nations trophy to Nigeria after almost two decades? Who made Nigerians begin to believe in our football again? Who has taken our football from mediocre to awesome? You will agree with me that no right-thinking football administrator will toy with Keshi’s business aside giving him advice.
My verdict is for Oliseh to change his critic’s views to suggestions and let’s allow Keshi do his job of taking us back to Brazil to make a good impact.
What do you say?
