African Journalists Criticise Fifa For Not Shortlisting Stephen Keshi For Coach of the Year Award
African journalists have strongly criticised Fifa for the omission of Nigeria coach Stephen Keshi from the list of coaches shortlisted for the Fifa coach of the year award.
The shortlist which of 10 candidates is dominated by coaches working in Europe.
Though Keshi says he is not disappointed to have been left off the shortlist for the Fifa coach of the year award.
The former Nigeria captain told BBC Sport: "It's really not a problem for me that I was not included or considered at all by Fifa.
"I would be disappointed if I had failed to win the Nations Cup or take this great country to the World Cup in Brazil.
"That I was able to achieve this significant success with my loyal staff and dedicated players is all that matters."
"I understand why some journalists are disappointed and I appreciate their love and concerns," Keshi said.
"We've achieved great things this year and I feel honoured to have managed these talented players.
"Nothing will ever erase what we've done. The award snub does not affect me."
Keshi has not named among the 10 candidates for the honour, despite leading an inexperienced side to the Africa Cup of Nations title in South Africa at the start of 2013.
He is the first black African coach to have won the trophy in 21 years, and he has since also qualified Nigeria for next year's World Cup finals in Brazil.
Keshi is one of only two men who has won the Nations Cup as a player and a coach - the other being Egypt's Mahmoud El-Gohary.
Meanwhile, Keshi praised his players for coping with the effects of flyinh and fatigue to hold Italy to a 2-2 draw in the friendly at Fulham's Craven Cottage in London on Monday.
"Only 48 hours after playing a World Cup qualifying match and flying right away here, my players did good," Keshi said.
"Without sleeping, and we didn't get to do any training before this game. I'm happy."
The following ten coaches (in alphabetical order, first nationality and then team) are in contention for the FIFA World Coach of the Year for Men’s Football 2013:
Carlo Ancelotti (Italy/Paris Saint-Germain FC/Real Madrid CF), Rafael Benítez (Spain/Chelsea FC/SSC Napoli), Antonio Conte (Italy/Juventus), Vicente Del Bosque (Spain/Spain national team), Sir Alex Ferguson (Scotland/Manchester United FC former coach), Jupp Heynckes (Germany/FC Bayern München former coach), Jürgen Klopp (Germany/Borussia Dortmund), José Mourinho (Portugal/Real Madrid CF/Chelsea FC), Luiz Felipe Scolari (Brazil/Brazil national team), Arsène Wenger (France/Arsenal FC).
The shortlist which of 10 candidates is dominated by coaches working in Europe.
Though Keshi says he is not disappointed to have been left off the shortlist for the Fifa coach of the year award.
The former Nigeria captain told BBC Sport: "It's really not a problem for me that I was not included or considered at all by Fifa.
"I would be disappointed if I had failed to win the Nations Cup or take this great country to the World Cup in Brazil.
"That I was able to achieve this significant success with my loyal staff and dedicated players is all that matters."
"I understand why some journalists are disappointed and I appreciate their love and concerns," Keshi said.
"We've achieved great things this year and I feel honoured to have managed these talented players.
"Nothing will ever erase what we've done. The award snub does not affect me."
Keshi has not named among the 10 candidates for the honour, despite leading an inexperienced side to the Africa Cup of Nations title in South Africa at the start of 2013.
He is the first black African coach to have won the trophy in 21 years, and he has since also qualified Nigeria for next year's World Cup finals in Brazil.
Keshi is one of only two men who has won the Nations Cup as a player and a coach - the other being Egypt's Mahmoud El-Gohary.
Meanwhile, Keshi praised his players for coping with the effects of flyinh and fatigue to hold Italy to a 2-2 draw in the friendly at Fulham's Craven Cottage in London on Monday.
"Only 48 hours after playing a World Cup qualifying match and flying right away here, my players did good," Keshi said.
"Without sleeping, and we didn't get to do any training before this game. I'm happy."
The following ten coaches (in alphabetical order, first nationality and then team) are in contention for the FIFA World Coach of the Year for Men’s Football 2013:
Carlo Ancelotti (Italy/Paris Saint-Germain FC/Real Madrid CF), Rafael Benítez (Spain/Chelsea FC/SSC Napoli), Antonio Conte (Italy/Juventus), Vicente Del Bosque (Spain/Spain national team), Sir Alex Ferguson (Scotland/Manchester United FC former coach), Jupp Heynckes (Germany/FC Bayern München former coach), Jürgen Klopp (Germany/Borussia Dortmund), José Mourinho (Portugal/Real Madrid CF/Chelsea FC), Luiz Felipe Scolari (Brazil/Brazil national team), Arsène Wenger (France/Arsenal FC).
African Journalists Criticise Fifa For Not Shortlisting Stephen Keshi For Coach of the Year Award
Reviewed by Msl
on
15:22
Rating:
Reviewed by Msl
on
15:22
Rating:
Keshi is still our coach of the Year
ReplyDeleteYou are making Nigeria and Africa proud
ReplyDelete