‘Keshi has the final say on Eagles list’

Former Eagles International and member of the Nigeria Football Federation’s Technical Committee, Garba Lawal has said only Super Eagles Coach, Stephen Keshi could determine the players to be invited to camp ahead of the 2014 FIFA World Cup.

The former Roda JC midfielder who spoke with Daily Trust in a telephone interview played down speculations that the committee could replace any player they are not comfortable with in Keshi’s list.

“It’s not true what some people are saying. We cannot remove or replace any player (from Keshi’s list).”

He stressed that: “Our job is to advise him and that is what we are going to do at our meeting on Tuesday (today). The ultimate decision lies with the Coach, we don’t want a situation whereby the Coach will blame the committee for imposing a player after a poor performance. That’s why we are very careful regarding that.”

The Atlanta 96 gold medalist also added that it was the hope of the committee that the team that will be put forward by Keshi for the Mundial will be one that will make the country and the continent of Africa proud.

NFF Media Officer, Ademola Olajire told Daily Trust yesterday that Keshi will present and defend his 35-player list today at the Federation’s Technical Committee meeting.

The list will be made public within the week by the Eagles gaffer and a lot of surprises are expected on the list with players like Leon Balogun, Chinedu Obasi, Joseph Yobo, Dele Alampasu, and Osaze Odemwingie expected to be called up.

The Super Eagles of Nigeria will be participating at the Brazil 2014 World Cup as African Champions and has been placed in Group F alongside Argentina, Bosnia, and Asian representatives Iran.