Stephen Keshi Urges Quick Recovery After Nigeria’s AFCON Qualifier Setback
Nigeria coach Stephen Keshi has called for a swift response from his Super Eagles following a disappointing start to the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers. During the recent international break, Nigeria suffered a surprise home defeat against Congo, losing 3-2 in Calabar—marking the Super Eagles’ first competitive home loss in 32 years.
Despite the setback, Keshi remains calm and focused on the upcoming fixture. Nigeria faces South Africa away on Wednesday in their second qualifier, and the coach is optimistic about the team’s ability to bounce back.
“We have to get back on track on Wednesday. I know that all hope is not lost. We lost against Congo and that is part of the game. Perhaps this will be a good lesson for the players before the trip to Cape Town,” Keshi said, emphasizing the importance of learning from the defeat.
The unexpected loss has sparked concern, especially given Nigeria’s strong historical record on home soil. However, Keshi pointed to deeper issues affecting the team’s performance, citing unrest within the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) as a possible distraction.
“When there is no unity in the house,” Keshi explained, “the players ask themselves a lot of questions and that is exactly what happened against Congo.”
The Super Eagles now face the challenge of regrouping quickly and overcoming both on-field and off-field turbulence as they seek qualification for the 2015 AFCON tournament. With a strong squad and passionate fan base, the pressure is on Keshi and his team to restore confidence and deliver results on the road.
