Keshi Defends World Cup List Tuesday

Except for a last minute changes, Super Eagles head coach, Stephen Keshi will finally defend his much 35-man provisional list for the 2014 World Cup before the technical committee of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) today. The much awaited provisional list has been a subject of media debate lately with both the technical committee and the coach appears to be on collision and divided over the choice of players that will make the list. Chairman of the technical committee, Chris Green while speaking to newsmen recently in Abuja, assured that the committee will not attempt to impose any player on the former handler of the Togo and Mali’s national teams. “While we believe that only players that are playing well for their clubs should be invited because the World Cup is not a tea party, our job is a simple task. Keshi has the overall decision on who goes to Brazil and fits into his World Cup plan,” stated. However, a top member of the technical committee who spoke LEADERSHIP Sports on a condition of anonymity, insisted that they will not allow the Big Boss, as Keshi fondly called to name any of his misfire CHAN player for Brazil’s World Cup. He vowed even as the committee will not want to interfere in the coach selection of players, it will ensure that the best are pick for the summer World Cup in Brazil. “Our duty is to ensure that the players the coach will invited for the World Cup merit the invitation. World Cup is not a place to start experiment players, so we must hit Brazil with our best legs. “We can’t afford to gamble with those boys that misfire in the South Africa’s CHAN tournament. I am sure the coach know exactly what to do and he will even not try mention any those misfire boys name before the committee because none of them can withstand the hit of soccer that will be on display in Brazil,” he said. Keshi had suggested that he may give opportunity to two or three of the boys that distinguished themselves in the South Africa’s tournament to fight for shirt in his World Cup squad. “Some of them will make the team to the World Cup. It is just that I cannot disclose who, and who among them will make my list now but later I will bring it out from my pocket,” Keshi was quoted in the media recently.