Keshi: W/Cup Is The Real Deal, Not Confederations Cup

Keshi: W/Cup Is The Real Deal, Not Confederations Cup

Posted: May 27, 2013

By James Agberebi:
Nigeria coach Stephen Keshi has stated that qualifying for the World Cup is more important to him than the Confederations Cup, reports Completesportsnigeria.com.
Keshi who is currently with the Super Eagles in Germany preparing for next week Wednesday's international friendly match with Mexico, reiterates he is setting his priority in motion in the face of a crowded June programme for his team.
“I will choose qualifying for the World Cup each time. Yes, the FIFA Confederations Cup is also good but nothing beats or compares to FIFA World Cup, that is the real deal. That is where I aim to be and where I want my players to be playing," Keshi states in an interview with Supersport.com.
"Make no mistakes: we will give the tournament our best shot, but it is really to come back next year as one of Africa's representatives at the World Cup that we are working towards," he states.
Keshi  will also defend the Super Eagles' disappointing 1-1 draw with Kenya in the first leg of their FIFA World Cup qualifying match in Calabar,  Nigeria. And also underscores the importance of the forthcoming international friendly match with Mexico.
“There were too many distractions before the game. Also, the home-based players were not fit and a lot of outside influence, but that will not happen again," says.
“The friendly match against Mexico is a fantastic opportunity for us to try new systems, integrate new players and get everyone into the right match mentality just before we face Kenya.”
The Big Boss as he is fondly called, stresses that the door of the senior national team is always open to any player who will improve the team.
“For sure. I am always looking at ways and players who will improve this team: so if I see any player or players who I believe can improve on what we have currently, I shall get them in and have a look at them closely.
“It is not always about playing ability, it is also on if the player or players can fit into the team's ethic we are building here. The Super Eagles team is not a closed shop.” ----------------------- Complete Sports