Former Super Eagles technical director, Kashimawo Laloko, has said Stephen Keshi should be held responsible for Nigeria’s performance at the ongoing FIFA World Cup in Brazil.
In an interview with Nigeria Sports Radio Station on Thursday, Laloko queried the calibre of players Keshi took to the World Cup and wondered why he dropped some good legs.
“Keshi should be held responsible for Nigeria’s performance in Brazil because in the first place he went with the wrong choice of players
“He must explain to Nigerians what Shola Ameobi was doing in Brazil and why the likes of Sunday Mba and Ike Uche were left out of the squad,” he said.
According to the Pepsi Football Academy (PFA) director, Keshi’s greatest undoing was his inability to handle good players no matter their on-field and off-field antics.
“Tarila Okorowanta was one of the most indiscipline Nigeria players but the late coach Chris Udemezue was able to take care of him. This Keshi was unable to do and that was why some players were left out of the team to Brazil,” Laloko said.
He also asked some salient questions that he said contributed to the team’s performance at the World Cup.
“What was the Benin Republic assistant, Valere doing on the Nigeria bench when we have sound and intelligent Nigerian coaches that can do better?
“Why is Keshi having complex anytime he is offered assistance? Why is he scared of working with Nigeria coaches?
“If Brazil with all their talents could employ the services of three former World Cup winners on its technical bench, why won’t Keshi take advice from the likes of Shuaibu Amodu?”
He however said that Keshi is not ready to be the coach of the team and will not want to resign but will want the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to sack him.
“From his body language Keshi is not too eager to retain the Nigeria job but will not want to resign, rather he will prefer the NFF to confirm him sacked.
“But I will not want the NFF to hire a foreign coach to replace him (Keshi), rather the Federation should look inward for younger and vibrant individuals who have distinguished themselves on the local scene.
“If Keshi can qualify Nigeria for the World Cup, other Nigerian coaches too can do same if given the kind of support given to him,” he said.
Laloko also questioned the true ages of the Nigerian Super Eagles players at Brazil 2014.
“I think that too must be investigated because I worked with four or more of these players and I know their ages.”
He concluded by advising the NFF to take quick action on the performance of the team before it is too late.
“Whatever decision that should be taken by the NFF must be done fast as the Nations Cup qualifier is just by our doorsteps,” he advised.
