Keshi: I Am Proud of My Achievements with Eagles

By Femi Solaja

Former Super Eagles Head Coach, Stephen Keshi, has said that he is proud of his achievements during his spell as Nigeria’s manager.

In a chat with ESPN football pundit, Colin Udoh, the former Togo and Mali gaffer said that despite criticism of him in the media that he drew most of Eagles last matches, he did what most indigenous coaches  were afraid of doing at the Eagles job.
“People keep saying I drew a lot of matches. But how many Nigerian coaches agreed to play friendly matches all the time. Or to use home-based players without fear but people don't see that. Every time it's Keshi this and Keshi that.
He also said he was happy that the drama was finally over, as was his family.
“I am not bitter. I'm just disappointed in some of you,” he pointed out, referring to journalists.  “Now people can stop talking about Keshi.”

Speaking also about those accusing him of name-dropping to harass the Nigeria Football Federation chiefs into doing his bidding, Keshi insisted that he had no access to President Goodluck Jonathan during his time on the job.

“Then they say I always try to use the President against them. President that I cannot even see!”
Keshi revealed some of his handicaps while on the Nigerian job.
“How many good pitches do we have in this country? We say we are a football nation and we don't even have good training pitches for the national team, or good field to play on.

“Instead, there are artificial pitches everywhere, even the new stadium in Uyo, it was when I heard from the governor (Dr Godswill Akpabio) that they wanted to lay artificial turf on the facility that I had to shout and tell him no way. That was why we now have natural grass on that pitch there. But why should I be the one to say it? Where are the journalists?” queried the ex-international fondly called the Big Boss.

Meanwhile, Ethiopian Football Association yesterday rubbished speculations that the country desperately needed Keshi to handle the Walya Antelopes. They said that they never approached Keshi nor even receive any application from him.

Culled from thisdaylive.com