SPORT: Can Keshi Succeed As Eagles’ Coach?

Former Super Eagles’ captain, Stephen Keshi was on Wednesday named as replacement for sacked Samson Siasia as the new Super Eagles’ coach. Bamidele Olowosagba and Emmanuel Osodi asked Nigerians about the capability of the new coach to handle the senior national team
Agboola Pinheiro, Basketball Coach: The success of Stephen Keshi as the head coach of the Super Eagles will depend on his ability to start from the scratch. This is because the whole set up in the national team needs reformation. So, for any coach to make any head way, he will need to bring new players into the team.
Ayo Animashaun, Football Analyst: I think the sacking of former coach, Samson Siasia, is not the solution to the problem affecting our national team. But since the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, has decided to appoint another ex-player to handle the team, I think with the support of all the stakeholder and the football governing body, he will succeed. He would have to learn from the mistakes of his predecessor for him to perform better.
Victor Onasanya, Football Enthuisiast: There is no doubt Keshi will succeed with the Super Eagles. This is because he has the experience of handling senior national teams in Africa, having coached Mali and Togo. Siasia does not have this experience. I see Keshi as a coach that can handle big players unlike Siasia, who had issues with Osaze Odemwingie and Vincent Enyeama.
Adedeji Ibukun, Student: I cannot say if Keshi will succeed or not but I think they should have given Siasia a second chance. He was not the one that failed to qualify us it was the players that refused to live up to expectations. Now that they have appointed Keshi as the new coach we can only hope and pray he does better than the former coach.

Adedayo Adedayo, Human Resources Officer: I think the appointment of Keshi is good for the development of the game in the country. Having been part of the national team as a player and also, as an assistant to former coach, Amodu Shuaibu. It is good they have given him an opportunity to prove his mettle as the head coach of the Super Eagles now that we need a new direction. Other things being equal, I see him doing well.
Amu Ogaba, Civil Servant: I think Keshi is aware of the problem affecting the Super Eagles now and I believe that with his antecedent, he should be able to find solution to it. We have enough players all over the world who need a coach that is good tactically and technically. Keshi should be given a chance to prove himself.
Olusegun Ikuesan, NBBF’s Media Officer: I expect Keshi to do well as the coach of the Super Eagles going by his past experience as a coach and as an established player in the national team. Without a doubt, he is a good coach that has proved that he can work within and outside the country. We have tried Siasia and he failed to take us to the Africa Cup of Nations. So, it is not out of place to give the Big Boss a chance to do a better job.
Miss Mariam, Business Woman: I wonder why the NFF should sack Siasia. Siasia is the best coach to take us to our promised land. If a coach fails the next thing the NFF does is to sack him. I don’t think this is good. Developed countries do not do things this way. The NFF should have given Siasia a chance. I do not think that Keshi can succeed in this job at all.
Mr. Chris, Student: Stephen Keshi is good, we know. So let us try him. He has done it before. To me, the Super Eagles have disappointed Nigerians and they don’t command our respect anymore. These boys play very well for their clubs abroad, but when it comes to playing for Nigeria, they fumble. Nigerians should try Keshi again.
Nnamdi Matthew, Car Dealer: Football fans in Nigeria should just take it easy with the NFF. Let us try Keshi, one major problem that Keshi has is that he boasts too much, but he can do a good job. The problem at hand has gone beyond sacking and employing a new coach. Let see how Keshi will do the job better than Siasia.
Obinna Francis, Trader: Let Nigerians give Keshi a chance. Changing coaches won’t take us anywhere. I believe that there is a mistake somewhere that need to be adjusted. Keshi can make a difference as a coach. He is a familiar person and he may not be harsh to the players like Siasia was to some of the Eagles.
Lere Ilesanmi, Musician: Siasia as a coach really messed up. Before he was given the appointment, I remember there was a debate between him and Keshi, and he promised that he would lead us to our promised land, but in the long run he failed. To me, Keshi is good. I told a friend recently that Keshi is the best coach for the Super Eagles. Now that the football authority has made him the head coach, I strongly believe that he can do a good job more than what Siasia has done. Keshi, I say welcome on board.
Chika Oyekwere, Artist: To change coaches is not the problem, NFF should not believe that Keshi can take us to our promised land. The main issue is to go back to the drawing board. Let us see what Keshi will offer. He is okay for the team.
Chioma Onyebuchi, Banker: For the fact that Siasia just lost one important match does not mean we should call for his head. Now that Keshi is the new coach of the Super Eagles, I think we should pray for him. The main problem is not the coach but the players. I still believe that Siasia is still the right person not Keshi.