MANY might have been surprised by the 1-1 draw outcome of the Brazil 2014 World Cup qualifier between Nigeria and Kenya decided at the UJ Esuene Stadium, Calabar at the weekend, but Super Eagles’ head coach, Stephen Keshi, has said the result is not an upset.
“We know where we were coming from but I tell you that it was less difficult for the Kenyans,’’ Keshi told sportswriters in Calabar.
“They came with a plan to frustrate us knowing we were capable of scoring goals and we took care of their counter-attacking plans. Kenya is a side that I know possesses a lot of stamina and energy. It is when you start scoring goals that they come down on their knees. I knew it would be difficult but we have not settled with them after all, there is the second leg to play.’’
Keshi also exonerated his stand-in captain, Vincent Enyeama from failing to stop Kenya’s 36th minute free kick goal.
“It was a danger where we committed the foul, knowing that Kenya have a lot of tall players who could disturb our defensive walls. The angle was free for the scorer but then Vincent did well to try and push the ball away; he was two steps to the ball and failed to meet it on time. This is football, goalkeepers get beaten at times when the crowd feel that they should have saved.’’
No comments:
Post a Comment