Football | Super Eagles

Stephen Keshi © Shengolpixs

I selected the best, says Keshi

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by Sammy Wejinya 06 June 2015, 20:27

Head coach of the Nigeria national team, Stephen Keshi, named eight domestically-based players in his final list of 23 players who will face Chad in a 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier in Kaduna on June 13.
Goalkeepers Daniel Akpeyi and Ikechukwu Ezenwa as well as defenders, Azubuike Egwuekwe, Solomon Kwambe and Chima Akas were all selected.
Midfielder, Bright Onyedikachi was also handed a surprise call up as was usual suspect, Gbolahan Salami while attacker Okechukwu Gabriel was the final name on the list.
Keshi says the eight players he selected on Tuesday are the “best of the 26” home boys initially named in his provisional squad and expects them to give the 15 overseas-based stars called up a good run for their money.
“As a coach, you sometimes have to make difficult decisions and that is what I had to do when I dropped some and selected some (of the players in the provisional list on Tuesday).
“I am sure that the eight players that I finally selected are the best of the 26 we called up from the local league.
“These kids from the league are good players too and I will continue to give them a chance. All they need now is improve their confidence,” Keshi told supersport.com.
The trainer said the team's "focus is on the game against Chad" and he is also demanding 120 percent from his players.
“Right now, the focus is on the game against Chad and everyone must give a hundred and 20 percent,” he said.
Nigeria failed to qualify for the 2015 Afcon in Equatorial Guinea and will be looking to make a swift return by qualifying for the 2017 edition scheduled to hold in Gabon.