BY JACOB AJOM
New Super Eagles chief coach; Stephen Keshi has explained the choices he made as assistants for the tough task of rebuilding a team that has of late, witnessed its fortunes tumble to the lowest ebb.

Speaking in a chat with ace sport presenter Mitchel Obi on Ray Power fm, Keshi said his choice was informed by the individual qualities of each of the four assistants he chose which he said would be of tremendous good to the team.

On Daniel Amokachi, the new Super Eagles’ gaffer said, “Daniel is one man who wants to win. Even in practice, he plays to win. He is a strong and determined professional with a winning mentality; that would be good for the team”.

Keshi was equally full of praise for Sylvanus Okpala, whom he pointed out, was also a pioneer member of the Flying Eagles like him. “Okpala played this game to the highest level and he is a great character who can psyche players,” he said.

On Valere Houandinou, his Togolese assistant, Siasia recalled, “we have been friends since our days in ACB of Lagos as team mates. We worked together in Togo and Mali. He is very sound, technically and highly respected back home”.

He defended the retention of Ike Shorunmu who was part of the under achieving Siasia’s technical crew. “I think he did a fantastic job with the goalkeepers despite everything,” he said.

When reminded of Shorunmu’s blunder of preferring Dele Aiyenugba to Austin Ejide as Eagles shot stopper in the ill-fated 2012 AFCON qualifier against Guinea, Keshi retorted, “it was a mistake and we all make mistakes. Only God is perfect.”

 …Says Aneke merits his call

Also Stephen Keshi  said that Jude Aneke, Nigeria’s all time highest goal scorer in the domestic league was a young player who needed to be given an opportunity in the national team.

Jude Aneke made history this season by scoring 20 goals, the highest ever scored in a single season in Nigeria.

“Aneke merits his invitation,” Keshi said, adding, “20 goals in the Nigerian league is no mean feat. He is a young man who needs a platform to fulfill his potentials. He deserves to be among the best this country can boast of”.