Keshi must listen to advice – Elaho

Friday Elaho believes that Stephen Keshi would have guided Nigeria to the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations in Equatorial Guinea if his former Super Eagles’ teammate had listened to advice.

The ex-Nigeria winger also says Keshi’s clash with the Nigeria Football Federation – and the attacks from some sections of the local media after the Eagles failed to qualify for the tournament   could have been avoided if he had not made “people believe he is stubborn and doesn’t listen to advice”.

Nigeria blew a gilt-edged chance to seal their place at 2015 Equatorial Guinea after they battled to a 2-2 draw against South Africa in their last group game in Uyo last November.

The NFF’s negotiation with Keshi for a new contract provoked a storm of criticism and the ire of some Nigerians.

But, after nearly four months of   frosty relationship between the NFF and the former Togo manager over contractual terms, the national football body announced during the week they had agreed to give Keshi a new contract.

“The NFF executive committee met on Wednesday and finally approved the recommendation of the technical committee for Keshi to continue as the country’s coach,” BBC Sport quoted Pinnick as saying.

“We believe he deserves to continue and we expect him to sign this new contract in the coming days.”

Elaho, who welcomed the development, urged Keshi to learn from his mistakes.

“I think the NFF has done well by giving Keshi the opportunity to remain in charge of the national team and they deserve commendation,” the Algiers ’90 Africa Cup of Nations silver medallist told our correspondent on the telephone on Friday.

“Keshi has done a lot for the country. He won the Africa Cup of Nations (in South Africa in 2013), which many of the foreign coaches who managed the Eagles couldn’t win.

“He also did well by reaching the second round of the World Cup in Brazil last year. It’s unfortunate that he couldn’t help us qualify for the Africa Cup of Nations in Equatorial Guinea.

“However, Keshi must listen to advice this time around. Many people saw some of the weaknesses in our team during the qualifiers and made suggestions.

“He shouldn’t make people believe that he is stubborn and doesn’t listen to advice.

“I believe we would have defended our title in Equatorial Guinea if Keshi had listened to advice.

“He probably had his reasons for sticking to some of the players who cost the country (2015 Equatorial Guinea) qualification. We must respect his decision.”

The former Denmark-based attacker urged Keshi to inject new blood into the team, saying some of the players in the side are past their sell-by date.

He said, “I won’t mention names but many Nigerians know that we need new strikers and defenders.

“We need players who are ready to fight for the ball. We don’t need players who are not committed.”

Elaho, who popularly called Professor, said the Eagles should not be judged by their 1-0 defeat by Uganda in a friendly affair in Uyo on Wednesday.

“(England-based) Odion Ighalo and (Germany-based) Anthony Ujah are players who can help the team if given time to gain confidence.

“There are other good players in the team. we should given time to develop.”