Why Super Eagles looked disjointed – Keshi

Super Eagles coach Stephen Keshi says anxiety to do well and seal the 2014 World Cup ticket accounted for some of the disjointed play by his players.
Nigeria won 2-0 against Ethiopia with goals from Victor Moses and Obinna Nsofor, but the performance was less than convincing and Keshi says it is not a cause for concern.
“The first thing was to make sure we qualified,” Keshi said.

Stephen Keshi

“In today’s game I don’t mind that we played badly as long as we qualified. We have other games were we can play beautiful football.
“There was a lot of anxiety around the players. Because it’s the last game, they wanted to  qualify.
“I had to calm them down and make sure their state of mind is intact, but I knew it was going to be a little difficult for them to focus.
“I remember the same thing happened to us in Algeria in 1993 with players not being able to eat because they were anxious.
“But we had to try to make sure we got them to calm down a bit.”
And to help with that, Keshi said the players were instructed to go easy after the first goal. “Tactically, we are there.
“After the first goal we told them to take it easy, slow down and allow them to come out.
“But their coach was smart, they refused to come out.
“But whatever came out today, as long as we qualify, and our flag is flying in Brazil, I will take it.”