Uphill task ahead for Keshi, condemned to succeed or be axed

 

The announcement of Stephen Keshi’s return to the national team on a two-year contract has sparked lots of comments with divided opinion on whether he is the right man for the job.

After a memorable and glorious 2013 where he guided the ‘Big Boss’ had a memorable and glorious success with the national in 2013 where he guided the Super Eagles in winning the AFCON trophy.

Things have fallen apart after then, he failed to qualify Nigeria for the 2015 edition of AFCON where the Eagles could not defend their title and the poor run of Nigeria at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.

With news of his return as head coach of the Super Eagles, soccer-loving Nigerians who have waited patiently and painfully for NFF to name a new manager are expecting him to deliver on the job.

Keshi will be sacked if he fails to reach the semi-finals of both the 2016 CAF championship for African players based at home (CHAN), as stated in his new contract.

The 53-year-old former Nigeria captain may not have as much liberty of performance as he did in his previous contract.

Clause 4.1 of the contract states that:

“The NFF shall employ the head coach for a period of two (2) years.

“Provided in the unlikely event that the senior male national team (the Super Eagles) under the head coach fail to make it to the semi-finals of the 2016 African Nations Championship (CHAN), the NFF in its absolute discretion may decide to terminate this present contract.”

This means Keshi must not just qualify Nigeria for the 2016 CHAN, but must also get to the semi-final of the competition at the very least.

The ‘Big Boss’ contract will be terminated if the NFF feels he doesn’t possess the ability to achieve the federation’s goals.

Clause 4.3 reads:

“Notwithstanding the provisions set out above or any other provision in this contract, the federation shall retain the right to terminate this agreement at any time where it is of the opinion that the coach, as demonstrated by his performance does not possess the ability or competence to achieve the federation’s objectives as set out in this contract. In such a case, the NFF shall summarily terminate this contract without prejudice to the settlement by the parties of any existing financial obligations between them.”

Meanwhile, Keshi is also expected to consult with both the technical committee before selecting players for both friendly and competitive games.

Clause 5.4 of the contract says:

“The head coach shall select the best crop of players of the Super Eagles who are in his opinion ready to excel in friendly and competitive games in consultation with the technical committee and the technical study group of the NFF.”

This is one area that could stir some controversy in the future, as it will be recalled that Keshi had some running battles with the immediate past technical committee of the NFF headed by Chris Green, over the invitation and selection of players.

But speaking at the signing ceremony on Tuesday, Keshi said he had wholly agreed to the terms of the contract, and has no problems with the clauses.

Although soccer pundits believe Keshi lacks the pedigree to lead the Super Eagles to a greater heights following his previous term with the national team, others believe that he should be given another chance to prove himself.

Modern coaching has move beyond instructing players to jug and pass balls around, as more technical and tactical depth is required to be a good coach.

Also, coaches with the ability to handle these two key areas are the right handlers to make Nigeria top in world football.

Keshi will also needs to drop his ego and arrogance attitude if he wants to succeed in his return to the national team set-up.

NFF seems to have chopped off these ugly traits following the clauses attached to his new deal with the glass house. Recent signs have shown that the ‘Big Boss’ might have learnt his lessons.

Keshi emphatically begged NFF and Nigerians and pleaded for their support, a gesture that is very uncommon with him.

“So please, I am begging Nigerians that we should talk together, work together in sincerity for the whole game. No sentiment about it but let us make Nigeria, Nigerians and ourselves proud,” he said.

“This is a new page in Nigerian football and we are going to do everything that we know to do for Nigeria to be up there.

“What happened in the past has happened. We won, we lost that is win some, lose some. This is the time that we all need to come together concentrate, fight as one nation. This is our own nation.

“We don’t have another nation. This country is too big, we are too important to let ourselves lose anything.

Keshi may not be the best option, but the most realistic one. There can be no doubt the time out has given him some time to reflect on his past. It is only fair that he gets another chance to clean up his mess.

 

Anthony Nlebem