Super Eagles defender, Taye Taiwo, has made an unusual declaration saying Coach Stephen Keshi is not fit to continue as the national team coach especially after his failure to qualify the country for the Africa Cup of Nations starting next month in Equatorial Guinea.
Speaking with PREMIUM TIMES in Lagos, the Turkey-based defender said based on precedence, it was only normal for the Big Boss to be relieved of his job after the AFCON miss.
“Everybody in Nigeria knows that when Siasia did not qualify everybody from the media, the fans insisted that they have to sack him, so it is normal that when a coach does not qualify for the Nations Cup or the World Cup he is not allowed to stay on, I am sorry to say that; they have to sack him (Keshi),” Taiwo said.
“Nigeria is not just for one person, if a coach does not qualify you for a competition why do you have to keep him?” he questioned.
While many will be quick to conclude that the hard stance of Taye Taiwo on Keshi may be linked to his exemption from national team duties, the former Olympique Marseille of France stalwart claimed he had no grouse with anyone over his national team snub, but insisted that if it pleases God for him to still represent Nigeria he would definitely do so.
“Please don’t get me wrong, I have no problem with Keshi, Amokachi or even the NFF. The players that have been called are also doing fantastically well, everything is in the hands of Allah. If I get the chance to play for Nigeria I will, if not, life goes on,” Taye Taiwo said.
Indeed the debate for Keshi to remain the national team handler is one of the most controversial issues in the Nigeria sports circle in 2014.
It is not yet known how the situation will finally pan out as there have been conflicting signals coming from the Nigerian Football Federation, NFF, whether Keshi will get a new contract or a new hand will be called on to steer the national team.
For now, Assistant Coach Daniel Amokachi is in the saddle having been given the mandate to lead the Super Eagles team in the two upcoming friendly matches against Ivory Coast and Mali in Abu Dhabi in a fortnight.
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