Keshi must listen to advice – Elaho

Friday Elaho believes that Stephen Keshi would have guided
Nigeria to the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations in Equatorial Guinea
if his former Super Eagles’ teammate had listened to advice.
The ex-Nigeria winger also says Keshi’s clash with the Nigeria
Football Federation – and the attacks from some sections of
the local media after the Eagles failed to qualify for the
tournament could have been avoided if he had not made
“people believe he is stubborn and doesn’t listen to advice”.
Nigeria blew a gilt-edged chance to seal their place at 2015
Equatorial Guinea after they battled to a 2-2 draw against
South Africa in their last group game in Uyo last November.
The NFF’s negotiation with Keshi for a new contract provoked
a storm of criticism and the ire of some Nigerians.
But, after nearly four months of frosty relationship between the
NFF and the former Togo manager over contractual terms, the
national football body announced during the week they had
agreed to give Keshi a new contract.
“The NFF executive committee met on Wednesday and finally
approved the recommendation of the technical committee for
Keshi to continue as the country’s coach,” BBC Sport quoted
Pinnick as saying.
“We believe he deserves to continue and we expect him to
sign this new contract in the coming days.”
Elaho, who welcomed the development, urged Keshi to learn
from his mistakes.
“I think the NFF has done well by giving Keshi the opportunity
to remain in charge of the national team and they deserve
commendation,” the Algiers ’90 Africa Cup of Nations silver
medallist told our correspondent on the telephone on Friday.
“Keshi has done a lot for the country. He won the Africa Cup
of Nations (in South Africa in 2013), which many of the
foreign coaches who managed the Eagles couldn’t win.
“He also did well by reaching the second round of the World
Cup in Brazil last year. It’s unfortunate that he couldn’t help
us qualify for the Africa Cup of Nations in Equatorial Guinea.
“However, Keshi must listen to advice this time around. Many
people saw some of the weaknesses in our team during the
qualifiers and made suggestions.
“He shouldn’t make people believe that he is stubborn and
doesn’t listen to advice.
“I believe we would have defended our title in Equatorial
Guinea if Keshi had listened to advice.
“He probably had his reasons for sticking to some of the
players who cost the country (2015 Equatorial Guinea)
qualification. We must respect his decision.”
The former Denmark-based attacker urged Keshi to inject new
blood into the team, saying some of the players in the side are
past their sell-by date.
He said, “I won’t mention names but many Nigerians know
that we need new strikers and defenders.
“We need players who are ready to fight for the ball. We don’t
need players who are not committed.”
Elaho, who popularly called Professor, said the Eagles should
not be judged by their 1-0 defeat by Uganda in a friendly affair
in Uyo on Wednesday.
“(England-based) Odion Ighalo and (Germany-based) Anthony
Ujah are players who can help the team if given time to gain
confidence.
“There are other good players in the team. we should given
time to develop.”