Super Eagles Boss, Stephen Keshi Maintains Stand
His decision to drop the Super Eagles skipper, Joseph Ikpe Yobo from the World Cup qualifier against Kenya in Calabar is still generating furore, just as the Super Eagles Supremo has also subsequently excluded the Fenerbahce star from the Eagles next series of matches.
Keshi in this interview explains to Complete Sports Saturday’s DAVID MESHIOYE, that it is not compulsory he recalls the veteran Eagle… Excerpts
Joseph Yobo’s recent outburst in the dailies has continued to send tongues wagging. What is really the bone of contention?
There is absolutely nothing to worry about. I don’t really know why people are blowing the whole issue out of proportion. That Yobo was not invited against Kenya should not be seen in the negative light. I had my programme in place for Kenya and it’s unfortunate Yobo was not part of that plan, so he was dropped from the list of invited players. The invited ones gave their best against the Harambee Stars even though we had to force our opponents to a draw. It is not compulsory I must call him for every game. Even in Europe, we have seen situations where captains were dropped and nothing came out of it.
You really sound disappointed, are you?
Well, I don’t really expect Yobo to start expressing his grievances on the pages of newspapers. You are the captain of the team, you have every moral right to call me and discuss your grievances with me. The buck stops on my table ,it’s my crew and I who decide who comes into the team and who doesn’t. The way and manner Yobo’s case has been blown out of proportion makes it look like I committed blue murder. Well, lots of people have come up with their views on the case but I have chosen not to comment on this after this interview because we don’t need to over flog it at all.
Pundits feel you owe your captain the moral obligation of communicating with him and making him see reason why he was left out of the team?
Yes, we had already talked about this during and after AFCON. I made him see reasons why I am making some changes in the team. We are rebuilding and changes will come but it’s quite unfortunate this is happening now. Take a look at Taye Taiwo; he was called into the team against Rwanda in Kigali but was later dropped on personal grounds. Rather than spill the beans he kept calm, waiting for his time. Obafemi Martins missed AFCON but he got on with his life and fortunately for him he returned against Kenya. What about Kalu Uche; if there is one player who should have reacted angrily to being snubbed, he should be the one, but rather than turn the whole thing to controversy he faced his club career and surely will reap the fruits thereof. I just want us to rest this issue of invitation; I would never ignore a good player. I want to win games, qualify for Brazil 2014 and do well in the Confederations Cup. Tell me why I would want to leave out someone who will help me actualize that dream.
Where does this leave Yobo now?
I don’t know. Honestly I don’t! We are supposed to move on and here we are trying to draw the team back, simply because the captain was not invited at a time we should be looking forward to a win in Nairobi. I don’t want to comment on this anymore.
The new FIFA date for Kenya clash has not gone down well with you on the ground that Super Eagles struggled against Rwanda in Kigali when the game was played on Wednesday. Do you think you can cross this bridge when you get there?
I have decided not lose any sleep over that. The FA did their best by writing FIFA but if the date remains, we will do our best to condition ourselves to suit that day. We will see how it goes but I am not ready for any negotiation as regards that Kenya game. It’s a must win for us. It is not for me to worry about although playing on the weekend would have been better.
The choice of preparation for that Kenya match is Germany’s Adidas camp site as against the high altitude of Nairobi. Don’t you think the choice of Germany could be counterproductive?
Not at all, all we need is a close camp where the pool of invited players can easily regroup. Germany is not a bad idea at all. If everything goes according to plan, we won’t spend much time in Nairobi before the game due to the high altitude. We will breeze in 24 hours before the game and leave immediately after the match. I believe with that, the weather won’t have much effect on the players. We will be playing against Namibia weeks later, so it is important we focus on these two games. I believe the Kenyans will come at us in Nairobi but we will be ready to play our game and win. Talking about the tight schedule, I believe most of the players that won the Nations Cup should be available for these games while some few players will called upon to add quality to the team. We have to be careful how we invite players now because we are re-building. If we keep bringing in everybody, we may never end our re-building process. All we need to do is look at some grey areas and then get the right players for such roles.
Coach Tabarez (Uruguay) and Etaeta Eddy of Tahiti are leaving no stone unturned as they prepare to face Nigeria. Do you have any knowledge of how these teams play?
I am taking it one step at a time. Honestly the next two games against Kenya and Namibia are on my mind now. Yes, Confederations Cup is a big stage but I believe we will cross the bridge when we get there. Spain are a strong side while Uruguay and Tahiti are no pushovers too but those two qualifiers will help put us in the right shape for the Confederations Cup. We are doing our best in getting their tapes and vital information about them, but honestly I just want to pick the maximum six points from Kenya and Namibia; those points are not negotiable.
You looked fulfilled at winning the AFCON, if I may ask; do you still have that hunger to go one step further or are you ready to walk out of the national team if Nigeria fail to qualify for Brazil 2014?
AFCON party was over long ago, I am going to take life one step after the other. This team is good and the players are doing great. I strongly believe we are not there yet but Nigerians will see a team that will in the end, metamorphose into world beaters by the time we go to the Confederations Cup. Qualifiers are rough journeys but I believe in this team to deliver the World Cup ticket. We won’t allow AFCON win rob us of 2014 World Cup ticket. I have told my players to drop that African champions tag and play as though they’ve not won anything. With prayers and hard work, we will get there.
Thank you for your time sir
You’re welcome!