Super Eagles coach Stephen Keshi has admitted he is wary of the dangers posed by Chad ahead of their Group G 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier in Kaduna on Saturday.
The former Mali coach said he had learnt his lessons after Nigeria failed to qualify for the 2015 AFCON, but warned that Chad’s French coach and their professionals could cause problems for the Super Eagles in the encounter.
Egypt and Tanzania are the other teams in the group.
“Chad may be tiny in size but football in Africa today is dynamic and as such we have to respect all the teams and prepare very well, which is quite important. We have to be ready and be serious minded about this match because it is going to be our first in the qualifiers and we have to give more than 100 per cent so that we can be victorious,” Keshi said on CAF website.
“We are not going to handle them (Chad) with kid gloves because they have a lot of professional players. I played against them in 2008, but they are a different team now and their current coach (Emmanuel Trégoat) is from France; we are probably going to play a team complete with a lot of foreign professionals from France and Morocco. So we are expecting a good match.”
Keshi believes Nigeria have an equal chance of qualifying like the rest of the teams in the group, insisting that the players have to be at their best and pray for luck when they begin their campaign.
He attributed Nigeria’s failure to qualify for the last AFCON to lack of unity between the team and the Nigeria Football Federation.
“There were lessons learned and basically, there was lack of unity the last time. We were not a united force both the Super Eagles and the NFF. The biggest problem was the NFF election crisis and everything was crazy about that time. At some point, we were not even sure whether we were going to play some matches or not. So much distractions and despite all our efforts, it affected the players psychologically. What I’m saying in effect is that Super Eagles would have qualified for the 2015 AFCON if we were united.”
The coach also addressed the reported controversy between him and Chelsea midfielder Mikel Obi, who was excluded from the squad that will face Chad.
“I don’t have any problem with Mikel. I spoke with him and duly informed him that he was not going to be part of the group for this match. Mikel is about one of the most responsible players I have worked with in this team. Not being here for this match against Chad has nothing to do with any quarrel. I have told him, I want to give opportunity to some other players.
“Maybe he would be available in September because Mikel for me is the most professional and disciplined player I have had in the team. This is just an opportunity for some other kids; Mikel is part of the team. So, there is no problem between us.”
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