AFCON: S’Eagles, Keshi Fight To Stay Alive

S’Falcons’ Desire Oparanozie (9) outwitting an opponent in a previous game. She scored a brace against Zambia in a 6-0 thumping to record four goals in two matches at the ongoing African Women Championship in Namibia

African champions  Super Eagles of Nigeria and their coach Stephen Keshi are battling to stay in the reckoning after the Super Eagles fumbled their way to  languish at the foot of the qualifying series for Morocco 2015.
Stephen Keshi has vowed to continue as Nigeria coach, while the Super Eagles are on the verge of elimination from next year’s Africa Cup of Nations.
After Saturday’s shock loss in Sudan, the Super Eagles are now bottom of the 2015 Nations Cup Group A with a single point halfway through the qualifying tournament.
This evening in Abuja, Nigeria hosts Sudan, who are now third in the standings with three points, and will have no margin for error as only a clear victory will continue to give them a mathematical chance for qualification.
And next month, the Eagles  travel to second-placed Congo, who defeated them 3-2 in Calabar in September, before they welcome Group A leaders South Africa.
They must now have to win their remaining three matches and hope other results in the group go their way if they were to qualify for the championship.
Keshi, 52, does not have a contract with the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) after his initial three-year deal ran out after the World Cup in Brazil.
He led Nigeria to win a third Nations Cup last year and guided the Eagles to reach the knockout stage of Brazil 2014.
But he has lost the core of his dressing room after publicised rows with the likes of Enmanuel Emenike, Osaze Odemwingie and Ikechukwu Uche.
And his record in his last 11 games has been most disappointing – lost five, drawn five and won one.
Keshi has apologised for a 1-0 loss in Sudan at the weekend, but at the same time claimed there was a gang-up to ensure he does not succeed.
”There is a sabotage by some people, who I won’t mention their names but who know themselves. They want to run this team down,” alleged Keshi.
”Some people are ready to sell this country for a dime. They want to sabotage the Super Eagles.
”It’s a shame. They don’t want this team to get to the AFCON (Nations Cup), they want this team to lose outright. But they are not God.”
For Keshi and Eagles to do well today, they must find a brand approach, spintand strategy today as against their lethargic showing in Sudan at the weekend.
The team was roundly booed at the Abuja airport on arrival from Sudan, the Abuja National Stadium is expected to be deserted as fans vote with their feet with most of them now calling for Keshi to go.
However, newly elected NFF president, Amaju Pinnick, who described as “awful” and embarrassing” the loss in Khartoum, has maintained they will not take any hasty decision on the coach.
“It is embarrassing that as reigning champions, we are struggling in the qualifying series, with only one point out of a possible nine. It is an awful output,” he said.
”However, we want our people to be patient and not stampede the federation to take knee-jerk decisions that will backfire in the end.
”We are on top of the situation and will take decisions that are in the best interest of Nigeria football.”