There is no doubt that there is pressure on Super Eagles coach, Stephen Keshi, in the selection of players for the Federation of International Football Association (FIFA) World Cup billed for Brazil this summer.
Stephen Keshi
Feelers into this emerged last Tuesday when the technical committee of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) with the leadership of the NFF turned down his list for further consultations before the provisional list will then be sent to FIFA on May 10.
There is also no doubt that there is pressure on the leadership of the NFF as names of some players expected to be on the list are missing.
Technical committee member, Paul Bassey had told reporters last Tuesday that NFF is not in a hurry to make public the list of the squad.
“We’re not in a hurry to release the squad list. We will do some consultations before we announce a proper list, “he said.
He then hinted that they plan to double check on the fitness of Israel-based goalkeeper Austin Ejide, and some other players who are injured.
And why the NFF and Keshi lied to Nigerians on reasons for the suspension of the list, we can authoritatively report that there is also pressure from interest groups on one player or the other to be on the list for the World Cup.
While Keshi is not ready to bow to pressures from the different quarters, the NFF officials are also not relenting on efforts to have some players on the list.
“Definitely I’m under pressure in the selection of players for the World Cup but I will not allow imposition of any player on me.
“I have about 37 to 38 players on my list from there I will select about 30 players because that is what FIFA needs on May 10.
“I have said it that I will select players on merit and I will not compromise that, but there are also some experienced players that are not playing regularly and deserves to be on the list. That I will also not compromise,” said Keshi.
However, while some football pundits have criticised last Tuesday’s development, pointing accusing fingers at the leadership of the NFF for trying to plot Keshi fall, President of the NFF, Aminu Maigari, has denied the claims.
Maigari also condemned a section of the sporting media that believesthe NFF wants the failure of Keshi, so that he can be fired for a foreign handler.
“When Samson Siasia left the stage for obvious reasons, how many of those who are fronting for Keshi today wanted him as the Nigerian coach?” he asked.
“But in my wisdom and after talking to other executive committee members, he was appointed the Head Coach and he will agree with the whole world that we have been supporting him.
“For the records, I can never work against a man that we collectively made the highest paid Nigerian alive today,” said Maigari.
And with the Mundial 45 days away, the waiting game continues on the list of players that will represent Nigeria.