Super Eagles Head Coach, Stephen Keshi,
has revealed that he has intensified search
for the video clips of the Chadian national
team, ahead of the 2017 Africa Nations Cup
qualifier ties in Kaduna, assuring Nigerians
of a brand new attacking Eagles formation.
Keshi, who made the disclosure while
answering questions from journalists
during a media parley at the team’s camp
in Abuja, noted that though he had played
against Chad in the past, the video clip had
become imperative since they have an
entirely different squad.
While expressing confidence of securing
the tape before Tuesday to help the
technical crew have a firsthand knowledge
of the Chad’s senior national team current
playing style, the Eagles gaffer maintained
that he was going to adopt an all attacking
formation, stressing that it would be
suicidal to underrate Chad
His words: “I can only remember how they
use to play in the past and I know that the
team will be made up of mostly their
foreign-based players. We don’t have any
reason to underrate Chad. We are preparing
very seriously just like we could do if we
are to confront Brazil, France or any other
country in the world.
“Football is not what it used to be in the
past when some team or country is seen as
underdogs. I have been hearing the
comment some people are making that we
can use league players to play Chad.
That’s not true because I played against
Chad when I was with Mali and they are
strong. Most of their players are foreign-
based.
“As for the video clip, I will say that I have
not got the tape, but I am hoping to get it
on or before Tuesday. I also know that
Chad is playing a warm up match in France
because their head coach is a Frenchman,
we will do all we could to get their tape,”
Keshi noted.
Asked if Nigerians should expect a sexy
playing football from his rebranded Super
Eagles in the qualifier encounter in Kaduna,
he replied: “If you watch our games since I
took over the team and even during my
playing days, I have always liked attacking
football. We are going to continue with that
mentality and formation in the game
against Chad.”
He also used the opportunity to clear the
controversy generated by the exclusion of
the duo of England-based Chelsea
midfielder, John Mikel Obi and Israeli-based
Nigerian substitute goalkeeper, Austin Ejide,
stressing that he did not need them for this
match.
“We just decided not to bring Mikel because
right now I don’t need him for this game. I
had called him to explain to him and he told
me no problem. He will certainly return by
September if we need him. As for Ejide, I
think it is not ideal to bring two profes
sional goalkeepers against Chad. I would
rather give chance and opportunity to the
home-based goalkeepers,” he said.