2013 Nations Cup Qualifiers: Keshi To Focus On Local Players

In his bid to avoid an over reliance on foreign based players to prosecute national team matches, Chief Coach of Nigeria’s Super Eagles, Stephen Keshi, said he will now focus his attention on players on the local scene for the 2013 Nations Cup qualifiers that starts next year.

Keshi had promised to effect changes in the Super Eagles squad that featured in his first two matches against Botswana and Zambia in November.

His 28-man squad for the two matches was chosen by the Nigeria Football Federation’s technical committee. But Keshi said after the goalless draw with Botswana in Benin and 2-0 victory against Zambians in Kaduna Township stadium, that he would effect the changes in order to find the right mentality and chart a new course.

Speaking on Brila FM early today on his plans for the Nations Cup qualifiers, the 49-year-old coach, who previously achieved a major qualifying success when leading unfancied Togo to the 2006 World Cup in Germany, said he is ready to play Nigeria’s first qualifying match against Rwanda with players in the local league.

He said: “Now, we need to start looking inward. Let’s bring those players in the local league that are available, capable, and in good shape to come and play for us and fight to get their places in the national team. I have identified some good ones that I plan to use against Rwanda early next year.”

— Bamidele Olowosagba