Three Areas of Focus for Keshi in Brazil

This article outlines the three main areas for the Big Boss to consider ahead of the summer trip to Brazil for the 2014 World Cup.

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By Olumide Ogungbemi

It's hard not to be sympathetic with the one-week one-trouble appointment the Super Eagles' manager position had turned into for Stephen Keshi.

As hardworking as the man is, as meticulous as he approaches his job, some disgruntled officials of the Nigeria Football Federation are bent on forcing Keshi out of his job. Assurances that all is cordial between the NFF and Keshi represent nothing but another lame statement to regroup after another sneak attack on the gaffer. 

Expect the federation to launch an all-out attack after the World Cup and there appears only one way for Keshi to ensure that he avoids the axe; by taking the Super Eagles to the Quarter-finals in Brazil. 

Anything short of that will have his detractors yodelling and doing the River Dance on the Glass House's board room table.   

Keshi's preoccupation right now isn't anything other than how the Super Eagles can manage to play at least five matches this summer. A good showing in Brazil and the detractors would be nothing but braying donkeys in the barn. 

This article presents the three key areas that Keshi must focus on in order to ensure that he can preserve his job with the Super Eagles beyond the summer.

Selecting the Most Prepared 23

Decisions | Difficult to make before Brazil

Keshi should be more pragmatic than sentimental in this task as it is the most fundamental of all. 

Selecting players for a competition of this magnitude may be the most important task because the manager's fate will be in the collective players' hands. Squad selection is an exercise usually mired in controversy because keeping sentiments out of it is nearly impossible, but must be kept to a minimum. 

Players' form in this case may present problems, because some of Keshi's regulars have, through the season, been bedevilled by lack of playing time at their clubs. 

While regulars were missing in action, some of the Eagles’ fringe players became super regulars at their own clubs.  

This change of fortunes might give the manager a selection headache, but Keshi must endeavour to be pragmatic in this task.   

Players would get hurt, no doubt, egos would be bruised, but he must be resolute to pick the best; physically and mentally. 

The 2002 Korea/Japan tournament was an epic failure because of the squad selection. The exercise was ruined by the collective sentimentality of the NFF, the manager, the press and the fans. This may be the most difficult selection Keshi has ever had to make in his career. 

Good luck, Keshi...you're gonna need it.