Keshi never in doubt

Keshii and Amokachi © Backpagepics

Head coach of the Nigeria national team, Stephen Keshi insists he was never worried about the Super Eagles’ chances of progressing to the knockout rounds of the 2014 African Nations Championship (Chan) in South Africa despite their slow start to the tournament.
Nigeria were mediocre in their opening game - a 1-2 defeat to Mali on January 11 - but Keshi says he was certain his charges would bounce back later in the tournament.
“The boys did not play well in the first game because they were nervous. The stage fright they encountered made it difficult for them to express themselves,” Keshi said.
Nigeria’s domestic league is currently on a three-month hiatus and players of the Nigeria squad were seriously lacking in match practice before the Chan.
A series of tune-up games against local sides were lined up for the Eagles but Keshi explained that only one of such games really gave him the chance to assess the level of his wards before the commencement of the Chan.


“We had not played any (friendly) games; the only one we played was against Ethiopia (on January 4 in Abuja).
“However, I know the ability of the players that is why I was so confident I will qualify,” he told SuperSport TV.
Bookmakers have now raised the odds considerably for Nigeria to emerge champions on February 1.
Keshi is however keeping his feet firmly on the ground and with the West African giants set to face Morocco in the quarterfinals, the “Big Boss” knows it will amount to folly to look beyond the North Africans.
“Right now, we just have to take it game by game and see where it takes us,” he said.
This is the third edition of the Chan and Nigeria are making their debut this year.