KESHI: I don't know why people don't understand me

                                  

Head coach of the Nigeria national team, Stephen Keshi believes he is misunderstood by many of his countrymen who have the impression that he is a difficult person to get along with. Keshi took charge of the Super Eagles in 2011 after Samson Siasia was sacked for failing to steer Nigeria to a place at the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations in Gabon and Equatorial Guinea. Read more after the cut.....


Success at the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations in South Africa where Nigeria won the title and a qualification ticket to the 2014 Fifa World Cup finals in Brazil saw Keshi’s reputation as a top trainer rise admirably but the gaffer says he’s been struggling to shrug off the wrong impression some have about him.

“I have heard many people say I am a snob and a hard man but that is not true. I am a very approachable person and easy to get along with,” Keshi told supersport.com.

Keshi, who earned the nickname, “Big Boss” for his charismatic nature and no-nonsense approach to issues during his days as a Nigerian international, believes that may be the reason for the misconception.

“I had a reputation as a tough person during my days as a footballer so maybe that’s what many are thinking about.

“When I first got this job to coach the Super Eagles, my wife encouraged me to take the job.

“She said it would give me the opportunity to really show Nigerians that I am not the person they think I am. I am really friendly and very nice,” he said.

Keshi is currently with the Nigeria squad in Abuja intensifying preparations for the 2014 African Nations Championship in South Africa and he took the time to assess the chances of his side ahead of the tournament.

Nigeria will face South Africa, Mali and Mozambique in Group A and Keshi is full of respect for the opposition.

“All the teams that have qualified are good. We are full of respect for them all.

“We had a practice game today (Wednesday) and the boys are slowly beginning to understand what we ask of them.

“Hopefully, we will be ready by the time the competition commences next month,” he said.