Chris Maduewesi
Member
Former Super Eagles defender Taribo West believes that Stephen Keshi allowed success to get into his head.
Keshi last year, led the Super Eagles to win the African Nations Cup tournament for the first time in 19 years, becoming the first indigenous coach to do so with Nigeria.
However, the Super Eagles fell like a pack of cards, failing to secure qualification for the next edition of the Nations Cup tournament after finishing third in thier group behind South Africa and Congo.
And Taribo believes that Keshi got carried away and couldn't manage the success he achieved in Johannesburg last year.
“Keshi let success go to his head and the result is that we won’t be defending our title in Equatorial Guinea next year,” Taribo told The Punch.
“When he started, he was hungry for success, hence he went for the home-based players who were equally hungry for success, and he was not bothered by the criticism over his decisions.
“The home-based players played a major role in our winning the Africa Cup of Nations last year.
“But Keshi felt very relaxed after winning the tournament. He changed and began to rely on (some) foreign-based players who are not good enough for the national team.
“Keshi should have continued with his policy. He should have invited more home-based players for the qualifiers.”
Keshi last year, led the Super Eagles to win the African Nations Cup tournament for the first time in 19 years, becoming the first indigenous coach to do so with Nigeria.
However, the Super Eagles fell like a pack of cards, failing to secure qualification for the next edition of the Nations Cup tournament after finishing third in thier group behind South Africa and Congo.
And Taribo believes that Keshi got carried away and couldn't manage the success he achieved in Johannesburg last year.
“Keshi let success go to his head and the result is that we won’t be defending our title in Equatorial Guinea next year,” Taribo told The Punch.
“When he started, he was hungry for success, hence he went for the home-based players who were equally hungry for success, and he was not bothered by the criticism over his decisions.
“The home-based players played a major role in our winning the Africa Cup of Nations last year.
“But Keshi felt very relaxed after winning the tournament. He changed and began to rely on (some) foreign-based players who are not good enough for the national team.
“Keshi should have continued with his policy. He should have invited more home-based players for the qualifiers.”