Super Eagles coach Stephen Keshi verbalizes Nigeria should believe in the team as they are set for the second round after beating Bosnia in Cuiaba on Saturday night. In this interview with Pius Ayinor, Keshi verbalizes about the team’s chances in the tournament.
The win over Bosnia has given Nigeria a foothold in the last 16. Ghana played out a 2-2 with Germany. What’s your reaction?
The Ghanaians are our very proximate brothers and so whatever affects them affects us. Today we won and I conjecture everybody in West Africa is blissful and it is good for the continent.
What do you relish best about the Bosnia game?
The fighting spirit in the team showed as we had to do precisely what we needed to do. Many people wouldn’t realise that and how it affects performance but I authentically felt the heat on the sideline and so I could imagine how tough it was for the players. There are an abundance of things to be redressed and we will work on that afore the next game.
Was there a moment you were apprehensive that your team would not reach the last 16?
No, I never had that fear. I had always believed we would get there; I had no doubt. But it transpires in Africa as nobody ever gives us a chance. Remember I took rookies to South Africa and a kindred thing transpired. We commenced like this. Playing a goalless draw with Iran was one the greatest quandary we had but we have visually perceived the same Iran today against Argentina. If it was not for (Lionel) Messi the game would have ended in a draw.
So there was never a time I mentally conceived we wouldn’t make it – as long as the players are yare to work with us. So they exerted themselves strenuously and here we are with a victoriously triumph.
What do you cerebrate your players did today that was missing against Iran?
It is just so arduous playing against a team that just wants to sit back and not assail. Whatever mistake we cerebrate we made today it will be for me and my players to work on it.
Many were surprised by Babatunde Michael’s inclusion in the squad. What apprised the decision?
I don’t authentically ken why Nigerians should be surprised about a particular player. I have a 23-man squad here. They didn’t peregrinate here to eat food, they didn’t peregrinate here for sightseeing; they are here to do the job. So they can be called upon any time. I have great faith in all of them. Babatunde is a good player; he just needs a little time. He is going to turn things around. I have visually examined him an abundance of times with his club afore he was called up.
Why was it not Victor Moses going in for Ahmed Musa?
Your opinion is that Victor should have come in. We had many players on the bench and Victor was one of them. So if Victor doesn’t play somebody else will play.
