Planet image TV’s Sports analyst and Cool FM Radio personality, Olusegun Adebayo shared some controversial views on the latest news in African football and the Champions League played last night with Jozi Gist.
On Stephen Keshi rekindling an Old flame:
Yesterday, Stephen Keshi was appointed Super eagles coach for the third time and reportedly signed a two-year contract. Keshi, who also won the Nations Cup as a player with Nigeria in 1994, refused to enlighten the public about contract details or the exit of his long-term assistant Daniel Amokachi.
Former Nigeria striker Amokachi has reportedly left his role with immediate effect and been replaced by Salisu Yusuf. NFF’s technical committee boss Felix Anyansi-Agwu was quoted as saying after the appointment of Steven Keshi: “The NFF board is confident Stephen Keshi can take the Super Eagles to new heights.”We want Nigerians to see this as a new beginning and to support the team and the NFF.”
Fiery sports analyst, Segun Adebayo said about this story that Keshi’s re-appointment was not the best solution for the problems Nigerian football faces:”I have said it times without number, Nigeria needs a foreign coach. The issue I have with most local coaches is that their decisions are usually influenced by tribalism and Nepotism.”
“It is a pity that Nigeria did not throw this post open for other coaches to apply. There is no magic that Steven Keshi can do. If he succeeds, I will be very surprised.”
On South Africa Losing “Shoes” to Cancer:
Tributes keep pouring in as South African football mourns the loss of former captain John ‘Shoes’ Moshoeu.The 49 year-old had been suffering from stomach cancer and lost his battle against the disease. The midfielder won 73 caps and will be particularly remembered for starring in Bafana Bafana’s 1996 Africa Cup of Nations-winning team.
Segun Adebayo was quoted as saying about the tragedy: “It is a great loss. He is a player that gave his all for Bafana Bafana and even after he stopped playing he contributed his wealth of knowledge to the national team, The new crop of South African players must pick up their performances and fill his boots.”
On Bayern Munich and Barcelona progressing to the Champions League semi-finals:
Bayern Munich and Barcelona were unstoppable in the quarterfinals lastnight. Bayern Munich put in a devastating first-half performance to overcome a first-leg deficit and beat Porto to reach the Champions League semi-finals.Needing a 2-0 win, Bayern were level on aggregate within 22 minutes thanks to Thiago and Jerome Boateng headers.
Robert Lewandowksi put them further ahead and Thomas Muller drove home for 4-0 before Lewandowski added a second.Jackson Martinez gave Porto some hope, but Ivan Marcano was sent off, with Xabi Alonso scoring from the free-kick.The game ended 6-1 to Bayern Munich.
“Porto was a disgrace last night. They should have been more defensive.The coach decided to attack when they were one goal down and this opened up the flood gates for Bayern Munich. let’s wait till the semi final draw is out and see which team Bayern will be facing.If they get a team from Spain they might not make it to the finals” Segun Adebayo explained.
In the night’s other game, Neymar’s two goals saw Barcelona coast past Paris St-Germain and into a third successive Champions League semi-final.
PSG, needing to overhaul a 3-1 deficit from the first leg, were torn apart by a dazzling Andres Iniesta run and assist for Neymar to score the first.The Brazilian striker headed in his second before the break to open up a four-goal aggregate lead.Barcelona were rarely troubled in the second half as they pursue a first Champions League title since 2011.
After the game, Segun Adebayo identified Barcelona as favourites to lift the Champions league trophy, “PSG are perpetual quarter-finalists despite spending money on quality players. I hope they will be able to break their quarter-final jinx next season.
Barcelona on the other hand was unplayable. I would not be surprised to see them in the finals. I hope they can win it for the likes of Suarez and Rakitic who have been outstanding this season”
To hear more interesting views about African football and the top leagues in Europe from Segun Adebayo, watch the Weekend Football Show on GO TV, Channel 73 at 12 PM CAT. Follow on twitter:@AdebayoOlusegun