Despite leading Nigeria to a disastrous ouster from the 2015 African Cup of Nations qualification, the Super Eagles Coach insists that he is the best man to steer the team to future glory.
Keshi, who enjoyed almost a hero status after helping Nigeria to a third AFCON win, has decelerated in people’s rating after series of unimpressive run.
The Nigerian Football Federation had relieved him of his duties before being recalled for Nigeria’s last two qualifying matches.
For Keshi, firing him again would not be the right way to go.
“If a team fails, sacking the coach won’t solve the problem. The authority should look beyond the coach to find solutions to the problem.
“I can’t deny it is a shame that we failed to qualify. On my part, I failed the nation but my players took South Africa for granted, a match they needed to win,” Keshi said.
Keshi’s agent, Emma Addo, reportedly shares the view of his client.
“No explanation will be acceptable now by Nigerians, but Super Eagles problems go beyond coaching. If some issues are not resolved, no one can succeed for long with the team,” Addo told the sl10.ng website.
“We shouldn’t forget where Keshi picked this team from in 2012, almost same place like they are now, but nobody cared about how they got there, that is why it happened again,” Adoo added.
Meanwhile, the NFF appears to have made up it mind on Keshi.
A top official of the federation was reported to have told coach Stephen Keshi not to try to stay in the job after failing to qualify the team for the
Keshi is currently without a contract with the Nigeria Football Federation.
And a top NFF official told BBC Sport: “Walking away honourably would be the smartest thing for Stephen Keshi.
“It’s pointless to hang around when you’ve failed, have been completely rejected by the NFF and are unwanted by disappointed football fans.”
