I won’t shed tears for Keshi

Segun Agbede

Nemesis in the mythology of ancient Greece was known as the goddess of vengeance. In more contemporary terms, nemesis is defined as the principle of retributive justice. It can also be described   as a punishment or a defeat that is deserved and cannot be avoided. Karma, which in many ways is similar to nemesis,   can be simply defined as what you sow is   what you will most certainly reap. I’m a firm believer in both tenets as all religions in the world are based solidly on these principles.

A large dose of both have been introduced in the matter of Stephen Keshi and his erstwhile employers the Nigeria Football Federation. The facts of the issue that broke the proverbial camel’s back are not in dispute. Keshi’s name somehow cropped up on a not so shortlist of 59 coaches. All of whom happened to be applying for the post of manager of the Ivorian national team. The second clear set of facts   is that the said application was submitted on June 11, a couple of months after Keshi signed a contract to coach the Super Eagles and two days before the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Chad in Kaduna on June 13.

The facts end there where speculation and conjecture take over. Both Keshi and his agent Emmanuel Ado vehemently denied ever applying for the Ivory Coast   post. However, subsequent investigations by the NFF’s Disciplinary Committee show an application was submitted, purportedly   on Keshi’s behalf by another agent Herman Bruce Da Silva. Ado claims he is Keshi’s sole agent/representative and the only person that hold’s Keshi’s power of attorney. Thus implying Da Souza is a fraud. Where does the truth lie?

I have been hugely critical of Keshi in the past but on this matter I have some empathy for him. Right now the Ivorian job is as attractive, if not more, than the Eagles job. After all, they are the reigning African champions. Every man has the right to better his circumstances. I work withSuperSport now, but if ESPN or Sky Sports came calling, I’d be off like a flash! Inexplicably (and most unfortunately for Keshi) the Ivorian FA decided to make the list of coaches who applied for the job public. The essence of such complicated   manoeuvering is that the applicant (if already employed) is usually guaranteed a measure of confidentiality. Once the confidentiality is removed, you’re exposed to being labelled a malcontent, a disloyal employee and open to any form of censure your employers deem fit. That’s where nemesis and Karma come in to play. Why did the Ivorian FA decide to go public with the list? Why did Da Souza apply on Keshi’s behalf if not instructed to do so?

The reality of the Keshi situation nevertheless is a wrong has finally been righted. This murky situation gave the NFF the perfect excuse to dispense with his services. They never wanted him anyway. The NFF rightly sacked him after the Sudan game last September but were forced into a humiliating volte face shortly after by political exigencies,   way too complex to go into here. Just like a goat being prepared for a barbeque, Keshi decided to douse himself in palm oil.

Although better late than never, Keshi’s sacking in my opinion is almost a year overdue.

I’ve been accused in certain quarters (even by some of my readers) of having a personal vendetta against Keshi. Nothing of the sort, I have immense respect for the man for his exploits on and off the pitch. But as Super Eagles coach he has been found wanting. As a football pundit I’m obliged to be both objective and dispassionate in my analysis of events. Keshi should have been sacked on his return from Brazil. I watched all the Eagles’ games in Brazil and apart from our game against Argentina in Porto Alegre (where we played really well but still lost) were a veritable shambles. His selection was suspicious and tainted. Some of the players he took to Brazil have disappeared completely off the radar.

Even though I campaigned relentlessly against his getting a new deal, I was ready to support him but I guess Big Boss was too set in his ways. The lure of imposing strange players on the national team was too strong. A clubless player Gabriel Okechukwu actually sat on the bench for our last game, wearing the number 10 jersey. How he got to be there is anybody’s guess.

I’m not gloating about Keshi’s sacking   but I won’t shed any tears about his departure.

Rather I heave a huge sigh of relief.

I really don’t care who coaches the Super Eagles, be he indigenous or foreign. I would like the new coach to instill the three Ds – Discipline, Dedication and Desire back into our national team.

I just want the Eagles to be super again.