Don Lauds Keshi On Home-Based Players

The Chairman of Sports Council, Lagos State University (LASU), Ademola Onifade, yesterday praised Super Eagles’ coach, Steven Keshi, for using home-based players in the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations campaigns.

Onifade, a professor of sports at the university, told Tidesports that the strategy would further lead to producing quality players from the Nigeria Premiere League.

“The likes of Sunday Mba will serve as an inspiration to upcoming talents in the league because they can aspire to get there too.

“The players would be encouraged to train harder because they know that there is hope for them in representing the country at international competitions and even the World Cup.”

Onifade noted that players who parade themselves at “big names” should henceforth be dispensed with.

“It is a very good idea that he is using the home-based players, you see that’s to show that they have something to offer that we don’t necessarily have to rely on big names.

“You know what we have been doing in the past is to rely on big names and they have always disappointed us and it’s understandable because they are big.

“They have made the name, so there is nothing else they can prove but with these home-based players, they want to make their own names too.

“And so they have to put in their best, unlike the professionals, who have already made the name and they are making the money.

“So it’s a good idea and I believe they can retain it and even go ahead to win the trophy.”

Onifade urged the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to support Keshi and advised them to leave the management of football to the professionals.

“I am happy that Keshi insisted on using local-based players, the NFF should support him or any coach at all but they should keep on supporting him.

“And give him a very free hand to operate. He is the technical man, they are not technical men so they should allow him to continue with the good job he is doing.

“And then it’s very important too that the NFF its self should make sure that the bulk of the people on the board are people that really know something about sports.

“And especially soccer that will make our sports grow the way it should.” Onifade expressed optimism that the Eagles would win in Sunday’s finals.