Keshi, like all other coaches going to the World Cup, is expected to be ready with his final list to be submitted to FIFA today.
With thirty players currently in Philadelphia,USA competing for places in the final squad, no doubt, the tension in camp is high and hearts will surely be broken over those who will miss out.
Stephen Keshi
Stephen Keshi
Last Wednesday, the Eagles played out a 2-2 draw against Scotland in London, a game that didn’t really show all we needed to know about some players.
It was a game that some players, possibly up for an auditioning over their World Cup place, failed to impress.
Barring Uche Nwofor who scored a late equaliser in that game,other players under trial were just average and need to up their game in subsequent friendlies before the World Cup.
“Yes, I have an idea of those who will go with us to Brazil but we will still wait till the last minute before we announce the list,” Keshi said over his probable team list to be released today.
Keshi sounded as if he could change his mind at the eleventh hour over players who could gate-crash into the team.
The players themselves believe they are all good enough to be in Brazil as explained by skipper Joseph Yobo after the Scotland friendly. “Nigeria is blessed with talents and that is why I think all the players here merit to be in Brazil, even when we have some other very good ones still hanging out.”
He added, “If you watch the game against Scotland, you will know that the ‘Big boss’ needs to be pitied over dropping players and picking those who will make the final 23. It will be tough.”
But there are people who are skeptical about the choice of players Keshi will be selecting for the World Cup.
Assistant technical director of Nigeria’s national teams Kashimawo Laloko, expressed concern that Keshi will be beclouded by sentiments and select players, not based on merit.
“With the calibre of players we have in Nigeria today, the Super Eagles are capable of doing well at the World Cup in Brazil but that will depend on absolute objectivity in the selection of our final squad,” he once said..
“I believe that in the provisional list of 30, there are players good enough to represent this country but I know that some players who have no business at the World Cup may find themselves on the final list which should not be so because of sentiments.”
It is an arduous task selecting a team without eyebrows raised over the inclusion of one or two players.
Whichever part of the divide one might belong, Keshi is saddled with that task of selecting his team and whatever comes out of it, will rest on his shoulders.
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