Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 2013 — 51
Fegor, Onazi give Keshi selection stress
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UPER Eagles coach, Stephen Okechukwu Keshi, admitted on the eve of his side’s semi-final clash against the Aiglons of Mali, that he has been having selection headache since he first picked up the job of coaching Nigeria, but it’s even at a boiling point now that the team is on the verge of qualifying for the final of Afcon 2013. The return of Norway based Fegor Ogude, from a match suspension means that he has to battle Ogenyi Onazi, for the holding midfield role, after the Lazio of Italy man put up a yeoman’s performance in the quarter final duel against Ivory Coast. “Its
been tough and I always have this headache of selection but with Fegor
•Onazi
back, its going to be tough picking who to start but by Wednesday we shall see who starts”, Keshi said at the Press Conference preceding the tie. Keshi also took a swipe at mediocre foreign coaches that are often hired by football federations in Africa and reiterated his call for a stop to be put to it. “If we hire a quality coach from Europe that we can learn something from, I won’t have issues with that but when they come from the backyard and parade themselves as expatriate coaches when they don’t know what ex-internationals like us know then I am against it”, Keshi asid to a question posed to him.
Eagles will bring President Jonathan to Jo’burg – Maigari
Keshi
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RESIDENT of the Nigeria Football Federation, Alhaji Aminu Maigari said on Tuesday that the Super Eagles are ready to fulfill President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan’s desire to travel to South Africa for
Sunday’s 29th Africa Cup of Nations grand finale. Nigeria’s sports-loving Head of State said last year that he would want to be at the closing ceremony and Final match of the Africa Cup of Nations at National Stadium, Soweto provided the Super Eagles made it there. Following progression from the group stage and Sunday ’s gutsy performance that eliminated title favourites Cote d’Ivoire, the Super Eagles are only one leg away from fulfilling the President’s desire.
“I have just spoken to the Head Coach (Stephen Keshi) and the Captain (Joseph Yobo), and they have assured me that they will fulfill Mr. President’s desire. It is rare to have this kind of support from a Head of State".
•President Jonathan
Keita: Last flight of an Eagle at war I
N Africa one does not greet and walk away. Greetings come with its compliments of best wishes,prayers and even praise. Like greetings african football holds its own charm and behind or beyond the game there is an abiding attachment which keeps drawing many to its fold. One contact with the game especially at tournament level, one hardly walks a w a y. s o m e t i m e s gripped by an inexplicable fever of varied emotions. Little wonder the first of the African Nations Cup to be played at an odd-numbered year has been aptly tagged “the beat at the African feet “ But for Mali,a nation dripping with celebrated music talents ,the beat is not only in their players feet but also in their cry and tears. Ever since the now retreated islamic insurgents usurped control in the historic saharan city of Timbuktu the people and government of Mali have not known peace,seeking and rallying support from all corners to chase away the ugly invaders. With military support from West Africa states inspired and spearheaded by Frances military and logistical might the people of Timbuktu found their
home again and joy tinged no doubt with the sad,terrible destruction of one of the world’s priceless librairies loaded with manuscripts defying age. Somehow the Malians are picking up the pieces and at the weekend which they rolled out the drums to thank and appreciate the inimitable padding received from France and her visiting president Monsieur Hollande, football , yes football found a way to lift a nation and show its power to heal the wounds of yesterday and stir up a fresh sense of unity and purpose. And fittingly so the home of Nelson Mandela has provided the impetus of this new face of Mali-one free from war and ready to expose her many gifts. The symbol of this redeeming drive is a player who came close to winning the African Player of the year in 2011 and has been decorated as World and European club champion with his erstwhile club Barcelona FC. Blessed with a sweet left foot and a rare vision of the game that stands him out as a winner. Seydou Keita is a true Eagle who has settled his score with fame and wealth and is poised to carry the burden of leading a nation out of the woods of underachievers. Strikingly
•Seydou Keita of Mali Seydou shares the same surname with one of Africa’s soccer legends Salif Keita celebrated and treasured for his exploits in Europe but also leading Mali to their first-ever final in the 1972 Nations Cup which they lost 1-0 to Congo Brazzaville inside the Ahmadu Ahidjo staduim in
Yaounde Cameroun. Salif keita, a fearsome goalgetter in his playing days,was also Mali’s top scorer in that edition of the Nation Cup just in the same manner Seydou is doing now,providing the goals that matter. South Africa has not forgotten his equaliser which took the quarter
final crunch to extra time and saw the host out in the shoot-out. Seydou always alive to his role in the team as captain did not take any of the spotkicks, obviously conscious of the performance of stars in such dramatic moments. No doubt Seydou has seen Mali struggle to make an
enduring impact in the Nations Cup. He was part of the team that failed to reach the final in 2002 when Mali hosted. He knows the pain of coming close and not winning the trophy. Having glittered in Europe will he still find the shine in Africa in his twilight years? Is this the last battle cry for a player who has voiced his willingness to deep hands in his pocket and support the demands of the team. Seydou is an acclaimed warrior,not loud with words but decisive in action. In I999 still under -20 he showed the array of skills that helped Mali knock out host Nigeria out of the World youth championship. That was in Calabar ,the same city in which the Super Eagles confirmed their qualification ticket for the on-going Nations Cup. On Wednesday inside Mabhida staduim in Durban. Seydou Keita will lead his Eagles to a semii final war against the Super Eagles of Emmanuel Emenikea and Victor Moses,rising stars waiting to shine. How will these Eagles all of west african descent end their fight for glory. . Surely Seydou will not love to greet the crowd and walk away. This is Africa waiting for his last hurrah.