BRAZIL 2014 WORLD CUP - Keshi's Outburst - Before Tomorrow Come!

As it is currently difficult to get direct communication with Nigeria's Football coach, Stephen Keshi, am using this medium to communicate with him, hoping that he, or someone with quicker access to him, may read this and get across to him, ''before it is too late''!

We read with great disappointment Keshi's unwarranted attack on Osaze Odemwingie after the 0-0 result with Iran. Keshi in a press briefing, had pointedly blamed Odemwingie for not adhering to his instructions in the match against Iran. This is ridiculous and uncalled for!! When Cameroon woefully lost 4-0 to Croatia, their German coach blamed the team, not an individual. When he was pressed to blame red-carded Song, and Benoit Assou-Ekotto, who almost headbutted his teammate Benjamin Moukandjo - the coach refused, saying that “I don’t want to launch into great explanations, we have to keep calm.” This is what we call maturity! But in Keshi's case, he publicly lambasted Odemwingie, who was among 3 or 4 players that did well against Iran.
Everybody with deep football knowledge knows that immediately Odemwingie was introduced into the match, he brought urgency and bite to the lame Eagles. His movements caused problems to Iran. Even world class football commentators as well as retired top footballers and coaches, gave Odemwingie a very high mark. In precise BBC and ITV commentators rated Odemwingie so high.

Keshi should understand that World Cup is different from African Cup of Nations. While last African Cup of Nations was code-named ''African Draw of Nations',,,(due to the low score-chat (meaning that most matches ended in 0-0 or 1-1), this World Cup have produced and average of about 4 goals per match. To make impact in World Cup, you need mercurial players as Odemwingie, who can move ball fast, run at defenders, and use every inch of the field. Relying only on strong players as Emenike is not the answer. We failed to move the ball fast, so before the ball arrive to Emenike, the opponents have already re-positioned themselves, and block any pass to him, making it almost impossible for Emenike to show his class.

With Eagles slow pace in disbursing passes, even great players as Messi or Ronaldo cannot do any magic. It is Keshi's responsibility to bring this urgency to the team. After watching Eagles friendly game against USA, I made same observations. And if Keshi fail to act now, Nigeria should expect quick exit from the Mundial!

By 

Chima Chima