Kalu makes case for Keshi with Emenalo, Okpala as assistants

As Nigerians await what the future holds for Stephen Keshi,former Abia State governor Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu on Sunday threw his weight behind the coach, asking for a new four -year contract to keep the Big boss as Eagles’ Manager.
Kalu’s backing comes amid uncertainity over Eagles preparations for the 2015 Nations Cup and it is seen as a bold step towards sustaining pressure on the need for continuity.
He said,” there should be no vacuum. I want the football federation to keep Keshi.He must learn from his mistakes.This is not the time to hire a new coach.Rather,Mike Emenalo and Sylvanus O kpala should be engaged to work with him”.
The ex- governor advised that Keshi’s designation should be changed to accommodate his former team mates so that all tactical deficiencies could be plugged.
” Keshi could become Technical Adviser. Emenalo takes the position of Chief coach while Okpala assumes the responsibility of assistant coach.That combination would be unbeatable. Emenalo knows so much about modern club football and is tactically sound. Okpala sees a lot from the bench too,” Kalu added.
Kalu also prayed the NFF to send Keshi to Germany on a three-month refresher course in the bid to take Nigerian soccer to the next level.
“That is what he needs. The Germans have a lot to offer in terms of modern soccer technology. You saw what their squad did to Brazil.That should be the next destination point,” Kalu said.
He also advised Keshi on the way forward.” There should be two standing national teams. One must comprise players from the local league.It (doesn’t) help a coach when he has to rely entirely on Europe based footballers to prosecute games. It showed in Brazil. Home based defenders could have done a better job at the World Cup.”
And out -of favour striker Ike Uche was not left out in Kalu’s remarks.” That was one costly mistake Keshi made. Eagles must be full of players who can score goals.I am sure we have not seen the best of that young man. And Keshi must change his mind. We have not seen the last of Uche. We should start preparing for Russia 2018 now. Time waits for no one,” Kalu summed up.