NFF Queries Keshi, Enyeama

Stephen Keshi

AFCON 2017 QUALIFIER
Onazi to pay fine for red card against Chad

For desecrating Nigeria’s famous No 10 jersey by handing it to an unknown rookie during last Saturday’s AFCON 2017 qualifier against Chad, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has queried Super Eagles Head Coach, Stephen Keshi.
Sources at the Glass House in Abuja revealed yesterday that Keshi was asked by the NFF leadership to explain why non-league striker, Gabriel Okechukwu, made the Eagles substitute bench in such an important game that may point the way for Nigeria’s qualification for the AFCON 2017.

“We just cannot begin to gamble like we did for the AFCON 2015 that Nigeria failed to qualify for. Why such a rookie for an important match like this first one that any slip up can spell doom for the Super Eagles,” queried the top federation official on telephone monday.

The unknown striker was given the No.10 jersey once made famous by the likes of Austin Jay Jay Okocha.
NFF sources further revealed that Okechukwu who plays for non-league Water FC of Abuja failed to make the final cut for the Under-20 World Cup in New Zealand after he was initially named in the a35-man provisional squad.

“How can a player who failed to make into the final Flying Eagles squad suddenly warrant been elevated to the senior national team. I think something is really wrong here,” observed the official who would not want to be named due to his position in the country’s football administration.

Super Eagles first choice goalkeeper, Enyeama, on the other hand was queried for his remarks about Nigeria playing Chad in Kaduna. The Lille of France safe hands described the former capital city of Northern Nigeria as unsafe to play AFCON 2017 qualifier.
But in a swift move to douse the tension created by Enyeama’s comments about Kaduna in the Super Eagles camp, NFF President, Amaju Pinnick, issued an official statement insisting that the city has always given the team maximum support to ensure victory over any visiting team.

“Kaduna State has always been a perfect ground for all National Teams, and a city in love with football. We are excited anytime we bring a match of the National Team to Kaduna, because we are always sure of massive support for our team,” stressed Pinnick before the 2013 African champions picked maximum three points with two unreplied goals by Gholahan Salami and Odion Ighalo.

Late yesterday in apparent response to the NFF query, Enyeama tendered an unreserved apology to the football fans in Kaduna.
"I want to state that the comments were never made to bring down anyone or the good people of Kaduna because they are very hospitable people. I want to say sorry to the people of Kaduna and the governor of the state as well. I was only concerned about everyone's safety, and never meant to spite anybody," Enyeama said to supersport.com while apologising.

"In my career of more than a decade with the national team, I have played in Kaduna and at the same stadium, and we have always come out with very good results there (in Kaduna) as I cannot remember when we lost a game there. I will be very happy to return to Kaduna to play more international games because the people were very hospitable with us and showed patience even when the goals did not come against Chad."

Enyeama achieved the feat of becoming the most capped Nigerian player at full international level with 101 appearances. He is just one more than the previous record of 100 jointly held with former captain, Joseph Yobo.
Unconfirmed sources also revealed monday that Ogenyi Onazi who got a needless red card for his ungentlemanly conduct is to be slammed with a hefty fine by the federation.

“Onazi is to be fined heavily so as to serve as a deterrent to Super Eagles players. It was pure and simple an act of indiscipline by the player and he will not go unpunished,” an official informed AfricanFootball.com.