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Focus On World Cup Ticket, NFF Urges Coach Keshi

August 21, 2013

The Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) says it has instructed Super Eagles’ Head Coach, Stephen Keshi, to focus primarily on earning Nigeria a 2014 FIFA World Cup finals ticket before the business of preparation for the 2014 African Nations Championship can start.

Rising from its meeting in Abuja on Tuesday, the NFF Technical and Development Committee asked the coach to come up with a 23-man list for the World Cup cracker against Malawi in Calabar on September 7, and do away with the jumbo list of 42 that he had earlier submitted.

The former Nigeria captain has also been warned that there will be no elaborate camp for the 24 home-based players whom Keshi earlier scheduled to arrive in Abuja next Sunday, of which only five will make the shortlist for the World Cup match against Malawi.

The chairman of the committee, Mr. Chris Green, explained that it is important for Nigeria to be pragmatic.

“The 2014 FIFA World Cup ticket is very, very important to Nigeria and Nigerians,” he said.  “Yes, we have qualified for the African Nations Championship, for the first time ever, and we very much
appreciate it.

“But there are three very crucial 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifying matches that we must prosecute successfully to qualify for Brazil before we can start the build-up to the African Nations Championship.”

He said there should be no distraction from focus on winning a World Cup ticket.

Keshi is expected to harmonise his list and submit a reviewed document to the federation before the end of the week.
 

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