Super Eagles
fans all around the world want Stephen Keshi, Nigeria National football team
coach, to select only the best legs for FIFA World Cup in Brazil next year.
There’s no gain saying it, that’s exactly what Keshi would like to do. No coach
works to fail; no coach would want to leave the best for good.
Rather, it
isn’t as easy as it seem when selecting players in a country like Nigeria with
vast array of considerable players both home and abroad.
It’s more
than just pushing forward names of good players like: Ikechukwu Uche, Victor
Anichiebe, Taiye Taiwo, Obafemi Martins, Osaze Odenwingie, Chinedu Obasi… There
are critical factors Keshi may put into consideration before he can come up
with a list of what he deem his best players for the assignment.
Let me share
five of such factors to help fans understand why Keshi may not be entirely ‘objective’
as fans would want it.
1. Special Abilities: What a player can bring or add to
the team is one critical factor for consideration and we don’t expect that
Keshi’s emotions will becloud his objectivity. For instance, Keshi shouldn’t
just select a player like Chigozie Agbim, as third choice goal keeper, thinking
he will not get to play him. The vagaries of the competition may put him in a
position where he has no other option but to play him.
Therefore, the coaching crew should carefully carry out a proper scouting
rport and analyseis of each player before selection.
2.
Competitive Form: A player who isn’t playing regularly
for a club in a top flight league may not be able to keep pace with the
momentum of FIFA World cup games.
Keshi shouldn’t base his selections on big names or past performances.
The current form of each player is so important. We can all recall the case of
Ikechukwu Uche in AFCON 2013, where the star striker couldn’t keep up pace with
the competition. Thank God Emmanuel Emenike was there to cover up for him. But
now, no one can question Ikechukwu Uche’s
current form in FC Villarreal.
3.
Medical Fitness: An extraordinary player who has
injury may not be able to contribute much in high competitive games of FIFA
World cup. A half fit player may immediately become ‘short one’ if his injury
relapses.
Keshi shouldn’t risk that no matter how emotionally attached to the
player. I cannot overstate it here, a player nursing any form of injury or
other medical ailments should be dropped from the team.
4.
Patriotic Spirit: No matter how good a player like
Osaze Odenwingie is, it may be difficult to select him because he hasn’t
demonstrated both mental and emotional willingness to play for Nigeria.
Any player who hasn’t displayed such willingness to give his all could sabotage
Nigeria’s quest to win the world cup; such player shouldn’t be selected. That’s
why I personally think Victor Anichiebe should be left alone. He is not
interested in playing for Nigeria again.
5.
Team Chemstry: Super Eagles current team has developed chemistry
(a Blending) both in playing style and team cohesion. For instance, it may be
difficult to add a good player like Chinedu Obasi, who is a bit slow, to the
fast pace attack of the current team. Unless, off-course, for tactical options,
Keshi may select him as a game changer.
More importantly, Keshi shouldn’t select any player whose adverse
attitude may cause disaffection among players or who has the tendency to stir
up rebellion. As we all know, team spirit is such an essential ingredient for
world cup success.
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SUPER EAGLES ACTIVE FAN
And stand a chance to
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New Super Eagles World Cup Jersey
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