Onigbinde: Sort Keshi’s fate before AFCON Qualifiers

By Izuchukwu Okosi

Former Super Eagles coach Adegboye Onigbinde reckons that the fate of Stephen Keshi continuing as the chief coach of the Nigerian national team is one that must be sorted out soon enough.

Keshi reportedly informed his players after the 2-0 defeat to France in the Round of 16 of the 2014 World Cup that the game could well be his last in charge of the team following the expiration of his contract.

The media interpreted the message to be resignation from the ‘Big Boss’ but the former Strasbourg of France defender has debunked claims that he has ‘resigned’, rather made it clear that he was only admitting the obvious as he is now a free agent.

However Onigbinde says whatever the situation, the Keshi conundrum must be sorted out before the Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers begin in September.

“People are beginning to speculate who might be the next coach of the Super Eagles; Stephen Keshi or even a foreign technical adviser. What matters most is who will improve the lot of the Nigerian national team. I’ve said severally that I’m not someone who really bothers where the coach comes from but what matters is the impact the new coach will have on the team.
“Be it a local or foreign coach, we should be able to gain from his or her expertise while managing the national team.

“My take on the Keshi thing is that it must be sorted out before the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations start in few months time.
Keshi has done well for the Super Eagles. His stay will ensure continuity for the team but if he is to be replaced, yes, a new coach would have to be in place before the qualifiers,” the man who was coach of the Super Eagles at the 2002 FIFA World Cup tells Completesportsnigeria.com.

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