The absence of Stephen Keshi, the Nigerian national team coach, from the list of nominees for the FIFA World Coach of the Year has sparked controversy. Keshi played a crucial role in Nigeria winning the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations (CAN) and qualifying for the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil.
The list of nominated coaches includes:
- Carlo Ancelotti (Italy) – Paris-SG/Real Madrid
- Rafael Benitez (Spain) – Chelsea/Naples
- Antonio Conte (Italy) – Juventus Turin
- Vicente del Bosque (Spain) – Spain national team
- Sir Alex Ferguson (Scotland) – Manchester United (retired)
- Jupp Heynckes (Germany) – Bayern Munich (retired)
- Jürgen Klopp (Germany) – Borussia Dortmund
- José Mourinho (Portugal) – Real Madrid/Chelsea
- Arsène Wenger (France) – Arsenal
- Luiz Felipe Scolari (Brazil) – Brazilian national team
Given Keshi’s achievements with the Nigerian team, many feel that his omission is unjust. Keshi himself responded to the situation by expressing confidence in himself and his players. He highlighted the difference between coaching in 1994 when he won the CAN as a player and coaching the current team, emphasizing the talent and mentality of the current squad.
Keshi also clarified his previous comments about white coaches, stating that he is not against them but against mediocre coaches who cannot help Africans. He asserted that he would never be able to coach in Europe because they consider him not qualified enough, but he did not express opposition to white coaches in general.
