Keshi dismisses local boys’ hype

Keshi – Lot of work ahead

Nigeria coach Stephen Keshi has begged the press and fans alike not to begin to hype his team of players from the domestic league because “they are not yet ripe”.
   
Keshi’s ‘B’ team held Africa Nations Cup-bound Angola to a goalless draw in Abuja Wednesday with most people scoring them very highly.
   
However, the Eagles coach was quick to warn that his team of three weeks still have a lot of work ahead.
   
“I commend the boys for their good showing. They did very well against the Angolans. But I want to warn that they are not ripe yet. So, please don’t flatter them. They still have a long way to go,” Keshi maintained.
   
“We have only been in camp for three weeks or thereabouts and there is a lot of work to be done. So, please do not tell them that they have arrived.”
   
While admitting that the Angolans were a good side, the former Eagles captain revealed to MTNFootball.com that he relied on the experience he garnered when he led Mali against Angola at the 2010 Nations Cup.
   
“I know the Angolans very well. If you give them a chance to play, they would over run you. That is exactly what they did when I led Mali against them. They went four goals up but we eventually came back to draw.”
   
“So, that experience informed some of my decisions on Wednesday.
   
Keshi played an unfamiliar formation that saw the Eagles attack on 3-5-2 and defend on 4-4-2 formation
   
The team will tackle Liberia this weekend in another friendly in Monrovia as Nigeria step up their preparations for next month’s 2013 Nations Cup qualifier in Rwanda.