Sports
Where Did Keshi Go Wrong?
It was only a year and a half
that Keshi was a national hero after leading Nigeria to a third AFCON title, but he has now been shown the exit door.
Where did the ‘Big Boss’ get it so wrong that he is now a zero to millions of those who admired him just a few months ago.
Arrogance and a larger-than-life ego
Keshi has always been an arrogant person even during his playing days and that probably explains his nickname ‘Big Boss’.
It was that arrogance that denied him the Eagles top job at the first try against fans favourite Samson Siasia in 2010.
And it was such grandstanding that meant he refused superior assistance when he was offered prior to the World Cup in Brazil.
His unguarded utterances, from claims of other offers to telling fans to shut up if they won’t support his team, exposed his immaturity.
Any wonder then he did not take kindly to any form of criticism.
Insubordination
He did not respect his employers because his many “very powerful friends” always assured him his job was safe.
His resignation moments after winning the AFCON last year earned him easy access to the country’s President as well as several top government officials.
There are those who maintain that the coach knew more than he said in public about the infamous appearance fee row at Brazil 2014 as well as the bonus saga that almost caused the country to be walked over at last year’s FIFA Confederations Cup.
And it is widely believed that he had a hand in the leadership tussle that later over took Nigerian football as it was said he made it clear to some big guns he was no longer willing to work with some certain officials.
If you were a member of the new NFF executive committee, would you not be wary of working with such a coach?
Team selection, call-ups highly questionable
Even the market woman agreed that Keshi was often not spot-on about his team selection and call-ups to the national team.
Many players had no business with the country’s team, but Keshi saw it differently.
The result was that he gave many mediocre players a decent run in his team and that way raised serious questions about his competence and judgment.
He lost his dressing room
The latest evidence that he was no longer in control of his dressing room was his public spat with star striker Emmanuel Emenike, who even dared the coach to drop him if he believed he was the problem of the team.
The other players who tested his managerial capabilities were Joseph Yobo, Osaze Odemwingie and Ikechukwu Uche, and in these instances he was found wanting.
Tactics? Mr Keshi does not have a clue
The less said about this, the better because Mr Keshi could not readily explain what his game plans were.
Football is no longer a sport where 22 young men try to bust their guts in 90 minutes of action. There is a lot of science that goes in preparing the team and there is also a lot of deep thinking for you to outwit the other team from the bench.
Who were his assistants?
How much help did he enjoy from his assistants and what was the quality of such assistance?
You are only as good as your backroom staff and obviously he did not get the desired help from those who ought to do so.
His luck finally ran out
Nigeria was lucky to win the Nations Cup. But such luck cannot last forever and when it did, it was all there to see that Keshi and his Eagles were riding on Mother Luck for most of three years and sooner or later, she was going to desert them.
Audu writes for African Football.Com
Samm Audu
Sports
European Giants Circle For Osimhen
Victor Osimhen will be the centre of attention as several of Europe’s biggest clubs send scouts to yesrerday’s Intercontinental Derby between Galatasaray and Fenerbahce, with the Nigerian forward set to play a decisive role in the Super Lig title race
Representatives from Real Madrid, Barcelona, Bayern Munich, Arsenal and Juventus were expected to be present at Rams Park, underlining the scale of interest in both the fixture and its standout performers.
Reports in Turkish media indicate that the derby will serve not only as a key moment in the domestic title race but also as a platform for transfer discussions and strategic collaborations between clubs.
According to those reports, top European sides have secured places at the stadium with a dual purpose.
“Europe’s leading representatives will be present at the stadium within the framework of both player transfer and cooperation,” ,” Milliyet reported.
“Real Madrid, Barcelona, among many clubs, including Bayern Munich, Arsenal, Napoli and Juventus, have made reservations for today’s match.”
Osimhen was expected to be among the primary players under observation, alongside teammates Baris Yilmaz and Gabriel Sara, with scouts closely monitoring their performances in one of the most high-profile fixtures in Turkish football.
The report further noted, “Victor Osimhen, Yilmaz and Sara were at the top of the watch list and that the interest would mainly be in these players.”
It also highlighted broader discussions beyond player recruitment, stating, “Apart from this, ideas will be exchanged for strengthening relations between the clubs and new joint agreements.”
The Nigerian striker’s presence came at a crucial point in the season, with Galatasaray holding a four-point lead over second-placed Fenerbahce and knowing that victory would all but secure the league title with three matches remaining.
Osimhen recently returned from injury, making a brief appearance in the cup defeat to Genclerbirligi after missing four games, a period during which Galatasaray’s form showed signs of inconsistency.
His absence coincided with a mixed run of results in April, where the league leaders recorded two wins, one draw and one defeat, including a loss to Trabzonspor and a draw at home to Kocaelispor.
Defensively, Galatasaray have also shown vulnerability, conceding in each of their last six matches across all competitions, a concern ahead of a fixture that could define their campaign.
The derby follows disappointment in the Turkish Cup, where Galatasaray suffered a shock 2-0 home defeat to Genclerbirligi, while Fenerbahce were also knocked out after a 1-0 loss to Konyaspor
Sports
Tennis Event Boosts Grassroots Development Push
A tennis tournament held in honour of Olusola Odumosu, Commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps FCT Command, has been described as a major step towards grassroots sports development and youth engagement.
The three-day competition, staged at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium in Abuja, began midweek , last week and ended on Friday, attracting young players across different categories.
On the court, top-ranked player Canice Abua won the men’s singles title after a hard-fought 7-5, 6-4 victory over Lucky Danjuma, who is ranked fourth nationally.
In the boys’ category, Unity Alex defeated Khaleed Dalha in straight sets to win the title, while Salvation Alex triumphed over Opeyemi Olademeji to win the girls’ singles event.
Odumosu, who marked his birthday with the event, said the initiative was designed to uncover young talent and strengthen the foundation of tennis development in Nigeria.
Sports
W/Cup Qualifier: Flamingos In Impressive Opener
Nigeria’s U-17 women’s team, the Flamingos, opened their preparations for the 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup qualifiers with a dominant 6-0 victory over Generation Next in Abuja as head coach Akeem Ishola Busari continues to shape his squad.
The emphatic win came during a 60-minute friendly at the Goal Project at the weekend, where the Flamingos took control early and led 4-0 at half-time before the match was halted in the 54th minute due to heavy rain.
Goals were spread across the squad, with Shavih Istifanus opening the scoring inside the first minute, followed by a brace from Tobiloba Sarafa in the 10th and 23rd minutes.
Harmony Chidi added the fourth in the 28th minute, while Aminat Adebisi struck just before half-time and Precious Paul completed the scoring early in the second half.
The match forms part of a busy training camp in Abuja, where Busari has invited 36 players as Nigeria step up preparations for their second-round qualifier against Guinea.
-
Maritime1 day agoCustoms Deploys Seven Patrol Vessels, Boost Waterway Anti-smuggling
-
Sports1 day agoFinancial Issues Stall Chelle’s Eagles Contract Talks
-
Oil & Energy1 day agoGlobal Energy Crisis Is Reviving Green Hydrogen
-
Sports1 day agoNFF mourns ex-Eagles striker Eneramo
-
Sports1 day agoEuropean Giants Circle For Osimhen
-
Sports1 day ago
Four Private Clubs Gain Promotion To NPFL
-
Sports1 day agoW/Cup Qualifier: Flamingos In Impressive Opener
-
Maritime1 day agoCILT Nigeria Seeks Anti- graft Agency Collaboration
