By Solomon Nwoke
VETERAN coach and former technical director of the then Nigeria Football Association (NFA) , Kashimawo Laloko said yesterday that the provisional 30-man list of Super Eagles for 2014 World Cup released Tuesday night by coach Stephen Keshi was laced with ‘nepotism’

Reacting to the list, Coach Laloko was not quite happy as he urged Keshi to be more objective in the selection of his final 23-man squad that will don the country’s colours in Brazil next month saying, only Keshi has the final say in the selection and make the use of the opportunity to ensure Nigeria plays well in the mundial.

Stephen Keshi with Mikel Obi

Said the Director of Pepsi Football Academy, “Keshi has to be more objective in the selection of of his final list of 23 that will go to Brazil World Cup. His selection of the provisional list was affected by what I call ‘chains of nepotism’. If nobody can tell him, I will tell him.

“This is Keshi’s first opportunity with Nigeria at the World Cup and he still has a bright chance of making a good record.

In USA ’94, we got to second round with Westerhof, but this time we need to get to the quarter or semi final stage of the World Cup. Westerhof achieved that after spending four years here.

If Keshi should be there for four years, he’ll achieve and surpass Westerh’s record. But I am sure that Keshi having been a good player himself right from his school days at Saint Finbarr’s Collage Lagos and as a former captain of the national team, must know what he requires to get a good team. So only his objective approach in the final selection will see us through if not he will have himself to blame.”

Coach Laloko however, would not want to comment on some of the players who made a surprise appearance in the list, but said until the final 23-man squad is out, then he will pass his comment.