stephen keshi

Entertainment

Nig/Iran clash: "Odemwingie did not follow my instructions"- Keshi

Super Eagles Manager, Stephen Keshi has revealed that Stoke City forward, Osaze Odemwingie who came in during the second half of the game did not follow his instructions during Nigeria’s goalless draw against Iran on Monday and his poor performance also affected the team.

He told BBC World Service, “The Osaze you are talking about didn’t do well. Osaze did not play to instruction and that affected the team. We expected three points from this game but everybody knows the most important game is between ourselves and Bosnia-Herzegovina. Next game I think will be easier and I think that will be the decider of where we will be at this World Cup.”

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Entertainment

Keshi to be blamed for goalless draw- Okocha

To those who saw the game last night, this headline is like stating the obvious. Former Super Eagles Captain, Austin Jay Jay Okocha has said Coach Stephen Keshi should be held responsible for the Super Eagles’ dismal performance against Iran last night.

The African football legend who is one of the World Cup analysts on Supersport told his colleagues. “Keshi should be held responsible for the way the team played. Before the match he said African teams are tactically not disciplined and he did not bring anything new to the table. His changes were poor. He took out Moses and brought in Ameobi. I think that was a wrong change. We saw how Osaze came in and showed a lot of creativity. That is the kind of thing we expected. Iran match would have been our strongest point but we missed it.”

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Entertainment

Brazil 2014: World Cup kits for all the 32 teams. (Photo)

The line-ups are complete! We now know all the 32 countries that will be bidding for glory in the 2014 World Cup scheduled to take place in Brazil a week’s time. Above is a picture of the World Cup kits for the 32 teams. I represent Green White Green. Go Eagles!!!
Teams
(1) Argentina
(2) Colombia
(3) Chile
(4) Ecuador
(5) Belgium
(6) Italy
(7) Germany
(8) Netherlands
(9) Switzerland
(10) Russia
(11) Bosnia-Herzegovina
(12) England
(13)Spain
(14) Iran
(15) South Korea
(16) Japan
(17) Australia
(18) USA
(19) Costa Rica
(20) Honduras
(21) France
(22) Croatia
(23) Greece
(24) Portugal
(25) Algeria
(26) Ghana
(27) Mexico
(28) Cameroon
(29) Nigeria
(30) Ivory Coast
(31)Uruguay
(32) Brazil (Host)
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Entertainment

Brazil 2014: Stephen Keshi unveils final 23-man squad

The wait is over! The ‘i’s have been dotted, the ‘t’s crossed. National team Head coach, Stephen Keshi has unveiled the final 23-man squad for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.



Final List



Goalkeepers: Vincent Enyeama, Austin Ejide, Chigozie Agbim

Defenders: Joseph Yobo, Elderson Echiejile, Juwon Oshaniwa, Godfrey Oboabona, Azubuike Egwuekwe, Kenneth Omeruo, Efe Ambrose, Kunle Odunlami

Midfielders: John Mikel Obi, Ogenyi Onazi, Ramon Azeez, Michael Uchebo, Reuben Gabriel

Forwards: Osaze Odemwingie, Ahmed Musa, Shola Ameobi, Emmanuel Emenike, Babatunde Michael, Victor Moses, Uche Nwofor.

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Entertainment

"Ivory Coast will always let you down, Nigeria will go furthest"- Emmanuel Adebayor offers insight into African teams ahead of Brazil 2014

Togolese international, Emmanuel Adebayor has offered an insight into some of the African teams who will represent their countries at the 2014 World Cup. Speaking to Daily Express, the former Manchester City player started with Ivory Coast which boasts of fantastic players like Didier Drogba and Yaya Toure, but his analysis of the team was a bit harsh.
“I never trust them. They are the country that will always let you down. I know all of them from the bench to the manager. Sabri Lamouchi their coach is my very good friend. How come for the last four or five years have they not won the African Cup of Nations? They have got the best striker in Europe in Didier Drogba. They have got the best midfielder today, Yaya Toure. You’ve got one of the best strikers in the league today, the one that plays at Swansea, Wilfried Bony. You have all of those players.
“But the thing is, are they going to be collective enough? I don’t know. I am not an Ivorian. They will be talking, laughing and enjoying themselves but when the time comes, they will forget about their job. There’s no togetherness. Everyone wants to be the hero. Everybody wants to be the one to finish on a high so the folks remember them for what I have done, not for what we have done as a generation, nor for what we have done as team. Everyone wants to be like a hero and that is what is killing Ivory Coast.”

The 30 year-old however spoke highly of the Nigeria squad: “Out of these teams, my choice for which of the African teams will go the furthest would be Nigeria because of their concentration. Because of Stephen Keshi the coach, he knows a lot about football and everything. He has been there as well as a player for Nigeria. And they have got Victor Moses, who is a great friend of mine, and I like the way he plays. Jon Obi Mikel played a lot for Chelsea this year and showed how good he is. Their goalkeeper is very good. Nigeria have all the ingredients to be good in the World Cup.”
The Tottenham forward has also backed the Ghanaian team to do well in the tournament. “Ghana have a good team. I hope they do well but they have done everything that is possible. Asamoah Gyan is a great player and great friend of mine but he is now playing in Dubai. He is still their main man. If he is not in form or if he does not match the level of the World Cup, then Ghana will struggle.
Indeed they will. In fact, during my time as a player, I got to know many of those who will be taking part in the World Cup for their respective African nations. Experienced players like Michael Essien and Sulley Muntari will need to be at their best to help Ghana.” He concluded.
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Entertainment

"The boy should be forgiven". Governor Orji urges Stephen Keshi to recall Ike Uche.

Reactions have continued to trail Super Eagles head coach, Stephen Keshi’s squad list for the 2014 World cup. Some players like Ideye Brown and John Ogu have expressed their disappointment for being excluded from the squad. Another player who shockingly didn’t make the list is Ikechukwu Uche and as far as Governor Theodore Orji of Abia state is concerned, the Villareal striker deserves to make it to Brazil in June.

A statement through his Special Adviser, Kunle Oyewunmi reads thus, “As a passionate football fan, I appeal to my good friend Keshi, to have a change of mind and include Uche in his World Cup team. The boy should be forgiven since he is now remorseful. Football is a competitive game; we should not allow personal interest to override national aspirations. I salute Keshi for bringing back Yobo and Osaze. I wish he could extend same to Uche.”

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Entertainment

2014 World Cup: Stephen Keshi releases 30-man squad list

The wait is finally over! National team head coach, Stephen Keshi has finally released his 30-man squad list for the forthcoming World Cup. Surprisingly, Osaze Odemwingie made the list (well, a source hinted few weeks ago that he would be considered), while Ike Uche was dropped.
Meanwhile, all invited players are expected to report in camp on May 26. Nigeria will face Scotland in a friendly on 28 May at Houston, Texas; Greece and the United States in June 3 and June 7 respectively. The final 23-man players list for Brazil 2014 will be compiled on 2nd June, 2014.

LIST OF PLAYERS

Forwards:  Ahmed Musa (CSKA Moscow, Russia); Shola Ameobi (Newcastle United, England); Emmanuel Emenike (Fenerbahce, Turkey); Obinna Nsofor (Chievo Verona, Italy); Peter Odemwingie (Stoke City, England), Michael Uchebo (Cercle Brugge, Belgium); Victor Moses (Liverpool, England), Uche Nwofor (Heerenveen, Holland).

Defenders:  Elderson Echiejile (AS Monaco, France); Efe Ambrose (Celtic, Scotland); Godfrey Oboabona (Rizespor, Turkey); Azubuike Egwuekwe (Warri Wolves); Kenneth Omeruo (Middlesbrough, England); Juwon Oshaniwa (Ashdod FC, Israel); Joseph Yobo (Norwich City, England); Kunle Odunlami (Sunshine Stars).

Midfielders:  John Mikel Obi (Chelsea, England); Ramon Azeez (Almeria FC, Spain); Ogenyi Onazi (SS Lazio, Italy); Joel Obi (Parma, Italy); Nnamdi Oduamadi (Varese, Italy); Ejike Uzoenyi (Enugu Rangers), Nosa Igiebor (Real Betis, Spain), Sunday Mba (CA Bastia, France), Reuben Gabriel (Waasland-Beveren, Belgium), Michael Babatunde (Volyn Lutsk, Ukraine).

Goalkeepers:  Enyeama (Lille FC, France); Austin Ejide (Hapoel Be’er Sheva, Israel), Daniel Akpeyi (Heartland), Chigozie Agbim (Gombe United)
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fashion, Sports

Keshi kick off right! Ladies, would you rock this football-themed hairstyle?

 
 
Olaboludele Simoyan, writer and author of 2- in-one book ‘8th wonder of the world Made in Nigeria’ rocked this football-themed hairstyle to support Nigeria for the forthcoming FIFA World Cup in Brazil. According to her, the hairstyle which is called ‘Keshi kick off right’ is “to inspire the Super Eagles to do the extraordinary at the World Cup and bring the world cup back home.”
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Entertainment

"Stop harassing him". Taribo West blasts NFF over Stephen Keshi query

Nigerian football legend, Taribo West has slammed the Nigerian Football Federation for handing Stephen Keshi a  query letter  after he failed to attend a technical committee meeting and an event hosted by President Goodluck Jonathan. The former Nigerian defender labels the NFF’s action a distraction at a time when the team should be focusing on the World Cup.
“I don’t know why the NFF has chosen this time to query Keshi when the World Cup is just around the corner. We should be concluding our plans for the World Cup and not fighting Keshi . The query is irrelevant – it’s a distraction. They should stop harassing him. I believe there are people inside and outside the NFF who are benefiting immensely from the confusion in our football.
“They are the ones instigating the crisis to make money to the detriment of the development of the game in the country and our World Cup preparations. They know if there’s a good relationship between Keshi and the NFF, they won’t make money. So they put much pressure on the NFF to fight Keshi. They don’t care whether we perform in Brazil or not, providing they make money. Yes, the crisis will affect the psyche of the players but I believe Keshi will take care of it because he knows what he’s doing.”
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Entertainment

"Keshi can do without me at the World Cup" – Osaze Odemwingie

Stoke City forward, Osaze Odemwingie strongly believes that the national team coach, Stephen Keshi can do without him at the forthcoming FIFA World Cup. This is coming few weeks after the Nigerian international mended bridges with the coach.
Many have suggested on various sports platforms that since the Super Eagles player who’s presently in an incredible form has done the needful and tendered his apology to Keshi, he deserves to be included in the World cup team. According to them, form is more important than attitude. Chiefly, Nigeria needs players who can add value to the team and make impact in the tournament.
The father of one told BBC Sport, “I have been speaking with the coach, it’s the only right thing to do. I had to be humble and make a step forward towards my senior colleagues. You can’t continue to stay in that angry state of mind. Staying in that state, it’s not the right thing to do. It’s never helpful for anyone
It was very disappointing at the time, it was hard to accept it. I had a strong feeling that it was Nigeria’s time to win it. I was as frustrated as any other player. For me to hear that was very important on a human level. It’s not about people, its always about the country. We’re all defending the colours of our nation.
Coach Keshi can do without me at the World Cup and my life will go on as well, but the most important thing is mutual respect. Now I know how he does things and how he wants things done and vice versa.”
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