Stephen Keshi has found himself entangled in a controversy regarding his comments on the new pitch at the National Stadium in Abuja, where the Super Eagles are preparing for the first leg play-off match against Ethiopia. The coach expressed his opinion that the pitch needed further work, prompting a response from the Minister of Sports, who criticized the Nigerian Football Federation.
In response to the backlash, Keshi clarified his remarks, stating, “I was responding to a question asked by a journalist. I just said the pitch wasn’t bad, but there was still work to do. I am surprised to see this in the press that I condemn the entire stadium rehabilitation process.” The former Togo coach expressed his astonishment at the extent of the controversy surrounding his comments.
The condition of the Abuja pitch had previously led Keshi to choose Calabar for several matches as the venue to host the Super Eagles’ home games. Despite the controversy, Nigeria is set to travel to Ethiopia on October 13 for the play-off match against the Walya Antelopes. The focus remains on the upcoming game, as both the team and the coaching staff navigate the challenges presented by the state of the Abuja pitch.
