By Onochie Anibeze
Many Nigerians have been hailing Stephen Keshi’s decision to stop inviting Europe-based players who may not help Nigeria win matches.

The new Eagles coach was shocked by the performance of some players he expected to muscle Rwanda and earn Nigeria the maximum points in the 2013 Nations Cup qualifier last Wednesday in Kigali. Yakubu Aiyegbeni, Osaze Odemwingie, Dickson Etuhu and Taiye Taiwo are among the Europe-based players who may be saved from national assignments, at least, for now. But under Stephen keshi as coach, their possibility of returning to Eagles is remote.

*Home based Eagles in one of their matches

Keshi and his assistants all agreed that the international friendly match in Liberia which was executed by the local players and won 2-0 was tougher than the match in Rwanda and that Nigeria could have won the match in Rwanda if they fielded most of the players who played in Liberia. Four local players played in Rwanda and excelled.

Keshi and his crew quickly went into a meeting after the draw in Rwanda and decided to take drastic measures on the team.

After deciding to reduce the number of the foreign-based players to about five in subsequent matches, Keshi and his crew swung into action to boost the morale of the local players. On return to Nigeria, they held a meeting with the local players in Abuja before releasing them to their clubs. They bared their hearts to the players and threw what the players have described as a big challenge which “we have accepted and ready to prove them right.”

The coaches told the local players that having seen what happened in Rwanda, it was up to them to take the bull by the horns and take over the national team.

Keshi made it clear that they would play greater roles in executing matches but warned that they must continue to work hard in their clubs.

“We have accepted Keshi’s challenge and we promise not to let him and his crew down,” one of the players said, preferring anonymity in other not to create disaffection between him and some Europe-based players.

“We really saw what happened in the game and we are going to our clubs to show what we have learnt and show that we are ready to return to the national team and prove we can do something. We have never been so challenged. This is our chance to prove that we can play. We shall not fail,” the player said.

Ejike Uzoenyi was the most outstanding player on the Nigerian side in Kigali. He tormented the Rwandans and Azubuike Egwuekwe, the Warri Wolves central defender excelled in the defence, helping ever consistent Joseph Yobo in warding off the invasions of the Rwandans. Godfrey Itama, the captain of Akure Sunshine Stars was also a rock in the defence.

He was the right back. When Dickson Etuhu continued to prove he was at loss on what to do in the midfield, Keshi brought in Gabriel Rueben of Kano Pillars and their game stabilized a little bit although Vincent Enyeama was forced to do a last minute save that kept the score goalless.

“I think that your big names disappointed you and you were lucky,” Richard Gahonzire, an Executive member of the Rwanda Football Federation said after the match.

He had predicted that the best Eagles would earn was a draw and boasted that “we don’t lose matches in that stadium.”

He meant Stade Regionale de Nyamirambo, a 12,000 capacity stadium built by fifa as one of their goal projects.