Stephen Okechukwu Keshi has heaped praises on Nigeria players

Super Eagles boss, Stephen Okechukwu Keshi has heaped praises on his players after they were beaten by 2-3 by the Pharaohs of Egypt that ended 2-3 against Nigeria in Dubai, UAE, Thursday night.

Addressing the players after the match Big Boss Keshi said, “despite the frustrating display by the referee, the team showed character, grit and concentration till the last whistle.

“The referee if he has a conscience, should know that he robbed us, because we had a penalty that was not given and the last goals looked questionable but like I told you I expected this type of officiating. Pick yourself up and lets get set for the next round of game.”

Other technical crew members also gave kudos to the players, urging them not to be downcast over the last minute extra time goal.

Nigeria next faces Gabon in another international friendly in Libreville, next month.

Menawhile, Super Eagles and Blackburn Rovers of England goals banger, Yakubu Aiyegbeni, has said that the national team deserved plaudits over its gallant display against the Pharaohs of Egypt in Dubai, UAE on Thursday night .

He also called for total support for the coaching crew of the team headed by Stephen Okechikwu Keshi.

Yak, who was monitoring the game, put a call through immediately after the encounter to say he was more than impressed with the report he got and said the team will do even better if the NFF maintains its current state of motivation for the national team.

“We all started like they started and for them to go and play so well against Egypt like I heard they did, we must say kudos to the team and Keshi for the innovation to try and use local talent to beef up the national team,” he said.

He recalled that the first time he played alongside some of the players who featured in the Nations Cup qualifier against Rwanda in Kigali, he told some of his foreign based colleagues to brace up for serious challenge, because the players from the Nigerian league were very good.

“The left winger Ejike Uzoenyi, was exceptional and I also pick the right full back, Godfrey Oboabona, as some of the players who will soon hit it big in international football.

“All the players are very good and determined and I’m not surprised that they showed their stuff against Egypt. Now we know Nigerian football has a bright future.”

Despite playing in Dubai, which is considered the second home of the Egyptian national team, Nigeria’s Super Eagles did not lack support, when they took on the Pharaohs of Egypt at the exquisite Al-Nasri Club stadium in the city of Dubai on Thursday.

Senate Committee Chairman on Sports, Senator Ibrahim Adamu Gumba, a member of his committee and passionate follower of football, Senator Abdul Ningi, the representative of Sports Minister Bolaji Abdulahi and Director General, National Sports Commission, Dr Patrick Ekeji, Alhaji Abba Yola, NFF board member Shehu Adamu and Barrister Chris Green, were all in the stands to cheer the national team in the game against the Pharaohs.

A clubside from Bauchi State, known as Yankari Babes, that is currently on a playing tour of the UAE, was on hand to lend support, along with Nigerians resident in Dubai and its environs.

Yankari Babes which attended the last training session of the national team were encouraged by Stephen Keshi to keep up the good work as any of them who excels will sooner than later find himself in the national team as the country continues to rebuild for a stronger and more dependable national team for the country.