stephen keshi

Entertainment

Keshi gets query letter from NFF. (Read)

For a minute I thought the query was all about his choice of players/ his rejection of foreign assistant for the forthcoming World Cup but it has nothing to do with it. Well, there’s been a strain in relationship between both parties i.e NFF and Stephen Keshi since AFCON 2013 victory.
For failing to attend a technical committee meeting and boycotting an event hosted by President Goodluck Jonathan, reception for the CHAN 2014 squad to be precise, the Nigerian Football Federation has issued a query letter to the national coach. Excerpts from the letter.

“It is important we draw your attention to previous actions whereby you travelled out of Nigeria without NFF’s express permission. Specifically, you travelled out of Nigeria before 13 February 2014, the day President Jonathan received the Africa Nations Championship (CHAN) team, causing us huge embarrassment.

“Your request for leave approved by the NFF was from 15 February – 10 March 2014 but you left before 13 February and returned 26 March. The Technical Committee meeting on 25 March was called off because you said you had flight hitches from USA. As a responsible organisation, we have no other option than to issue you a query to explain how all these events unfolded.”
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Entertainment

Osaze Odemwingie likely to make Eagles comeback after apologising to Stephen Keshi

 
So Osaze Odemwingie finally got off his high horse. Good for him! Wise decision! Sure Super Eagles would be glad to welcome him back. There are strong indications that the Stoke City striker would make a comeback to Eagles after he apologised to the national team coach, Stephen Keshi.
It would be recalled that the England-based forward was dropped out of the squad after he threw tantrums at Keshi on twitter for substituting him during a Nations Cup match in Rwanda in 2012. A reliable source revealed that Keshi has accepted his apologies.
“Keshi is human and was touched by the change of heart of Osaze in asking for forgiveness. He(Keshi) wants the best for the Super Eagles. Since Osaze is doing well in his club and has shown remorse, he will soon open the doors for the ”prodigal son”.
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Entertainment

2014 World Cup: Stephen Keshi clears the air on his choice of players.

Nigeria’s national team coach, Stephen Keshi has cleared the air on his choice of players for the forthcoming 2014 World Cup. Speaking to Vanguard, the former defender who has been criticized for not recalling the likes of Osaze Odewengie and Ike Uche maintained that team spirit and tactical considerations are his criteria for selecting players.
“It is wrong for any coach to shut the door against any player and ban such a player from playing for the National team. But time matters in all things including football. There are times good players may lose form and you allow them time to be fit again and there are times a player may not contribute to the success of a team due to behavioral problems and if you, as a coach, feel that it will be for the best interest of the team to allow such a player time to conform to the acceptable conducts, you do so to help the team.
I’m aware of the comments people have made on some of our players. All good players deserve to be in the national team but there are also team spirit considerations. There are tactical considerations. If you have a concept and a player does not and refuses to conform to that concept what do you do?  What I want people to know is that I want to go to Brazil and do well. And I will not leave out any person who I feel will help us do well.
No reasonable coach will do that. If I leave out any player, it simply means that I feel that such a player may not help the general interest of the team in Brazil. It is a serious matter and it will not be nice to trivialize World Cup selection matters. It is a serious matter and I wouldn’t want sentiments to sway us.”
Credit: Vanguardngr.com
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Entertainment

VICTOR MOSES, MIKEL, STEPHEN KESHI, BLESSING OKAGBARE OTHERS SHINE AT THE NIGERIAN SPORTS AWARD

Nigerian international, Victor Moses has edged out John Obi Mikel and Sunday Mba to win the Nigerian Footballer of the Year award 2013. Super Eagles coach, Stephen Keshi also defeated Man Garba, Golden Eaglets coach to win the Nigerian Coach of the year award.

The ceremony took place at the Muson Centre,Onikan, Lagos on Wednesday, November 27, 2013. Super Falcon’s Perpetual Nkwocha also won the female footballer of the year award.

 

Other winners

(1) Ball Sports Personality of the year award- Aruna Quadri.

(2) Aminu Maigari – Sports Administrator of the year award.

(3) Blessing Okagbare – Track and Field Star of the Year, Sports Woman of the Year awards

(4) Divine Oduduru- Discovery of the year award.

(5) Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan of

(Delta State) – Sports Governor of the Year Award.

(6) Mikel Obi- Sports man of the year

award

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Entertainment

WHO DESERVES TO WIN THE COACH OF THE YEAR AWARD? STEPHEN KESHI OR MANU GARBA? NIGERIAN SPORTS AWARD HOLDS TODAY!

Who deserves to win the Coach of the Year? Is it Super Eagles coach, Stephen Keshi who led Nigeria to win the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations in January helped and also helped the team qualify for the 2014 World Cup or Golden Eaglets coach, Manu Garba who inspired his team to win 2013 FIFA U-17 World Cup?
The 2013 edition of the Nigerian Sports Award, (NSA) which is being put together to honour deserving Nigerian sports personalities will take place today 26th November, 2013 in Lagos. Also nominated for the prestigious award is President, Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) Aminu Maigari.
Others include Solomon Ogba of the Athletic Federation of Nigeria and Chairman of the Delta State Sports Commission Amaju Pinnick who are contending for the Sports Administrator of the year award. Prolific Tennis player, Aruna Quadri was also nominated for the Ball Sports Personality of the Year.
The Awards which has Nokia and Amstel Malta as its official sponsors will be attended by Director General of the National Sports Commission, Gbenga Elegbeleye, the Minister of Sports, Bolaji Abdullahi, and a host of dignitaries.
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Entertainment

MIKEL OBI WINS DOUBLE AT NIGERIA PITCH AWARDS. + LIST OF WINNERS

Chelsea FC midfielder scooped two awards at the maiden edition of the Nigeria Pitch Awards, which took place at the Pearl Hall of Transcorp Metropolitan Hotel, Calabar on Saturday 16th November, 2013. The ex-PSG player won Best Midfielder and King of Pitch (Player of the Year), prominent female footballer, Perpetua Nkwocha, also clinched the Queen of Pitch award.
No member of Super Eagles team (coach and players) were present at the occasion, despite being lodged in the same hotel where the event took place. Shina Phillip, co-ordinator of the awards couldn’t help but voice out his disappointment, “Our players need to be schooled about how to be socially responsible. I don’t hold anything against them because I want to adduce their attitude to the fact that they needed rest ahead of their trip to London for the engagement against Italy. But even at that, a five minute appearance would have been enough for them.”
Governor Liyel Imoke however commended the team for their groundbreaking feats. “It is a long time that our country, our people have had so much to celebrate within a short span of time. We have just won the FIFA U-17 World Cup trophy only eight days after lifting the FIFA U-17 World Cup to set a global record. In fact, the successes have piled up so high that we are almost forgetting that it is in this same year that we won the Africa Cup of Nations.”

WINNERS
(1) Stephen Keshi (Coach of the Year)
(2) Vincent Enyeama (Goal keeper of the Year)
(3) Emmanuel Emenike (Striker of the Year)
(4) Jelili Ogunmuyiwa (Referee of the Year)
(5) Godfrey Oboabona (Defender of the Year)
(6) John Shittu (Players’ Agent of the Year)
(7) Kano Pillars (Club of the Year)
(8) Ade Ojeikere (Journalist of the Year – Print)
(9) Bimbo Adeola (Journalist of the Year – Radio)
(10) Toyin Ibitoye (Journalist of the Year – TV)
(11) Lagos State (Best Grassroots Development Programme).
(12) Felix Anyansi (Manager of the Year- Eyimba Club)
(13) Football-friendly Governor of the Year (Governor Liyel Imoke)
(14) Etubom Paul Bassey (CAF General Coordinator- Special Recognition award)
(15) Jay Jay Okocha ( NFF Technical and Development Committee member- Special Recognition award)

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Entertainment

PRESIDENT GOODLUCK JONATHAN REWARDS SUPER EAGLES HANDSOMELY

Dividends of hard work: The victorious Super who arrived the country yesterday were treated to a grand reception party at the Banquet hall of Aso Villa in Abuja.

Before announcing and presenting some of their prizes, President Goodluck thanked the entire team for their victory in the just-concluded tournament and most importantly for making the nation proud.

”I thank coach Stephen Keshi and all members of the team who have worked very hard and played with great focus, dedication, artistry and patriotism to make Nigeria the proud champions of Africa once again after 19 years of setbacks in the competition.” He added.

All the 23 players and the four assistant coaches got a cash gift of N5m while the team’s coach, Stephen Keshi was given N10m. The other crew members got N2M each.

The team was also conferred national honours. Keshi was conferred with the Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON) while his assistants; Sylvanus Okpalla, Ike Shorunmu, Daniel Amokachi and Valerie Houandinou as well as Eagles captain,Yobo were conferred with the Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON). Other players got the Member of the Order of Niger (MON).

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Entertainment

PHOTOS: ENTER THE VICTORIOUS SUPER EAGLES

Yes the Champions, victorious Super Eagles led by their amazing coach Stephen Keshi and other officials are back in the country. They arrived this afternoon and are having a grand reception party tonight in Abuja.

2013 African Cup of Nation (AFCON) winners! Ooooshey!!!

The taste of victory is sweet!

Photocredit: Linda Ikeji

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Entertainment

STEPHEN KESHI WITHDRAWS RESIGNATION; ISSUES STATEMENT

Stephen Keshi’s resignation issue I garnered is more than “leaving while the ovation is loudest”. There was more to it. The Big Boss as fondly called as however withdrawn his resignation. He issued a statement via Demola Olajire, NFF media director.

“My attention has been drawn to reports in the media that I have resigned my appointment as the Head Coach of Super Eagles of Nigeria.



While I have had cause to express my displeasure over some issues that happened in the course of our participation in the AFCON 2013, which my team won by the grace of God, especially concerning my relationship with the Nigerian Football Federation, I have since had opportunity to discuss the various issues with all concerned. I am therefore pleased to say that I have reconsidered my position and have decided to continue with my job.



 I want to thank the Honourable Minister of Sports, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, for his swift and kind intervention.”

Signed

Stephen Okechukwu Keshi

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Entertainment

STEPHEN KESHI RULES MIKEL OBI OUT OF AFCON 2013 QUALIFIERS

Just few days Ago, Super Eagles coach, Stephen Keshi mentioned that only fit players would be invited to participate in the AFCON qualifiers. “We have three major qualifiers, there is CHAN 2012, AFCON 2013 and the World Cup qualifiers, so we are just building and everyone would get a chance but right now only fit players will be invited”. He avowed

He stated further that”My list will consist of only players who are in action every week.”

According to a reliable source, Chelsea midfielder, Mikel Obi has been ruled out of the game and replaced with Blackburn Rovers striker, Yakubu Aiyegbeni.
Though Yakubu has been occupying the back seat ever since he missed a sitter against South Korea at the 2010 world cup but he’s been putting up performances in his club especially this season. Mikel on the other hand has been largely missing. This to a large extent could be the criterion the coach used.
Below is the list of the players to represent Nigeria in Rwanda on the29th of February for the first leg of AFCON 2013 qualifier

Vincent Enyeama,
Joseph Yobo,
Taiye Taiwo,
Dickson Etuhu,
Sani Kaita,
Joel Obi,
Ike Uche,
Osaze Odemwingie,
Yakubu Ayegbeni,
Ahmed Musa



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