Keshi goes tough on players, officials

…As Eagles’ camp opens today in Abuja By Onyewuchi Nwachukwu
Stephen Keshi is in no mood to suffer fools gladly as preparations for the crucial return leg of the final
qualifying game of the 2013 Nations Cup begins in Abuja today. The ‘Big Boss’ has told the home-based players he invited for the game against the Lone Star of Liberia,
as well as the coaches and officials, to report to camp today or forget about being part of the encounter
slated for the U.J. Esuene Stadium in Calabar on October 13. Media Officer of the team, Ben Alaiya,
revealed yesterday that Keshi has reeled out in clear terms the seriousness he attaches to the game and
has called on everybody involved with the prosecution of the tie to follow suit. Alaiya stressed that the Eagles’ gaffe, who used to enjoy jokes with his officials, has suddenly changed
his humorous disposition to press home his intention that preparations for the much anticipated game was
no longer a joking matter. “Honestly, this game has turned the Big Boss into something else. He used to
be very friendly but now, we are seeing the other side of him. He is not listening to excuses from anyone of
his assistants or players. “I even appealed to him to allow me report to camp on Monday to enable me attend to pressing issues, but
he vehemently turned down my request. This is how serious the man has become. “In fact, he has made it clear that anybody who was not ready to give his best before and during the game
should not bother reporting to the camp.” The Eagles’ spokesman confirmed that all the 25 home-based
players Keshi called up are expected to arrive in Abuja today for the resumption of camp, while the foreign-
based pros were given on or before October 8 as their arrival dates. “Keshi has also read the riot act to the foreign-based players he invited for the Liberia game. They all have
a deadline of October 8 to report to camp so that serious work can begin. “As you know, from October 8
we would be left with just five days to prepare the team for the game and that is why the coach has made
the arrival date sacrosanct,” the media officer added.