Five ‘controversial’ Keshi players
Keshi sees good when nobody can even identify such
Like a coach who truly knows his onus, Late Stephen Keshi had a eye for talented players when he sees them.The Big Boss however made some ‘controversial’ choices in terms of players’ invitation to the national team.
While some shut his critics and proved him right as an astute coach, a handful turned to be less desirable choices; at least on the surface.
As we continue the highlights of the life and times of Keshi, Fcnaija.com throws up a list of five players that courted controversy during the reign of the Big Boss.
Babatunde Michael
It was with great anticipation that many waited to see the make-up of the Super Eagles final squad for the Brazil 2014 World Cup. One surprise inclusion that got tongues wagging was that of Babatunde who many questioned his rational of making the final list.
Surprisingly however, Babatunde did not only prove his doubters wrong in Brazil but also attested to the fact that the Big Boss was seeing what others never saw.
The attacking midfielder who was in action for Eagles in recent friendly games against Mali and Luxembourg was only recently voted the best foreign player in the Moroccan League.
Playing in the second division in Germany and with little or no connection with his country of birth, Leon Balogun’s invitation to Nigeria’s pre-World Cup camp did raise some eyebrows.
Sadly, it wasn’t even a dream debut for Balogun himself who got seriously injured in his first outing for the Eagles.
Fast track to the present times, the Mainz 05 defender is one of the country’s best back men and thanks does really have to go to the Big Boss who damned his critics to give the light-skinned defender a chance to prove his mettle and wear the green and white jersey.
The goalkeeper was a regular feature in any list released by Keshi for national team assignments and that never went down with many who could not comprehend why other better goalkeepers were continually overlooked by the Big Boss.
It was no secret that Nigeria football fans never liked Agbim but Keshi kept faith in the four feet tall goalkeeper who led Nigeria to a bronze medal finish during the country’s maiden appearance at the 2014 CHAN tournament in South Africa.
The Warri Wolves defender is ever present in the Nigeria team be it in friendlies or competitive games but he is permanently on the bench.
Egwueke was neither here or there in terms of proving his critics right or wrong as he often manages average performance when he gets the chance to step on the pitch for action.
The invitation of Gabriel to the national team was the proverbial final straw that broke the camel’s back as the NFF Technical Committee back then queried why an unknown quantity said to be playing for a non league Abuja side ( Water FC ) will be invited for AFCON qualifying match and be given the very revered JERSEY NUMBER 10 on the day.
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