Oliseh Replies Keshi

Oliseh Replies Keshi

Former Super Eagles Captain, Sunday Oliseh,has moved to clear the air,over his criticisms of the homebased players Nigeria took to the FIFA Confederations Cup in Brazil,calling on Stephen Keshi to listen to constructive criticisms and not make enemies.

Oliseh criticised the homebased players Keshi took to Brazil,adding that they did not measure up to what is expected in international football.

After Nigeria’s 4-1 win over Ivory Coast in the CHAN qualifiers,Keshi lashed out at Oliseh,for calling the players he took to the Confederations Cup ‘unexposed’ adding that Oliseh himself was once a local player.

Writing on his blog sundayoliseh.tv ,on Tuesday and tweeting the link with the caption: “My response to Keshi’s ranting and unfortunate comments!” Oliseh went on to put the records straight of what he said.

“Keshi is a good coach. In fact he is the most successful coach Nigeria has had in the past decade and by winning the Nations Cup 2013 he boarded the ship of achieving coaches.”

“But one quality that successful and long lasting coaches have is that they have always had a nose to differentiate constructive criticisms from destructive ones and act on them even if they do not agree in public. Ever since our nation triumphed at the 2013 African Cup of Nations our Super Eagles have been struggling, relatively, and has failed to consolidate on this landmark success due to the fact that we do not have continuity and there has been this obsession to experiment and overpopulate the team with more home grown players.

“Ever since I expressed my personal disagreement at the huge number of local based players that represented Nigeria on Supersport thousands have clearly stated their understanding and agreement of the point of view just as some, Keshi included, have disagreed and made some regrettable comments. This I feel is quite unfortunate and personal.”

Oliseh further defended his stance on foreign based players: “If you are a Foreign based pro. it is not because these foreign clubs want to do you a favour, it is because you are one of the best from your country, simple. By gradually trying to wage a war against these players who ply their trade week in week out at the highest level leagues in the world we are turning our back to our best  and waging a war against ourselves, they are Nigerians too I must remind !”

“Ever asked why The out flux of Nigerian home based to Europe has reduced drastically in recent years? It is because the Europeans for example after several scouting visits to our local league games find the tempo and standard quite low, not credible and with the crisis in the world have little time to wait for years work to upgrade these players, otherwise Sunday Mba, who I find quite solid & talented should have been bought immediately after the AFCON!”

“The unbalanced flooding of home based is a strategy that can work at the AFCON level etc but at the world stage, we will play well but lose, like we used to do in the 80′s & 90′s prior to 1994 and now did at the Confederations cup!”

Oliseh added that he does not nurse a personal ambition of taking over from Super Eagles coach.

“I can understand that Keshi feels threatened by the possibility of a sack and back stabbing, but my comments  should not be seen as coming from a possible successor unless one is desperate, which  I thank God I am not!

“His job is the last thing that I or my family need. I know the custom lately amongst some of the coaching crew in our dear country has been attacking the incumbent to take his place, but I believe I have proven over and over again that my consultancy company and my life that I have spent 23 years to build in Europe which I cherish dearly is more precious to me than the day to day stress that comes with Being the Super Eagles coach!”

” It is unfortunate that Keshi sees enemies everywhere and maybe it is understandable but the interest of Nigeria’s progress is what we all should be seeking now and I believe making attacks like he is doing is not the right way to go about it, we are way too matured for that, at least I know I am!”