SPORTS: Keshi still my boss – Amokachi

Daniel Amokachi.

Nigeria caretaker coach Daniel Amokachi has said Stephen Keshi still calls the shots in the team even though he has yet to sign a new contract with the Nigeria Football Federation.

Amokachi therefore revealed he is in constant contact with Stephen Keshi regarding the set-up of the national team.

Amokachi has denied picking the Super Eagles team who lost 1-0 to Uganda last week and has since further distanced himself from the situation.

The 42-year-old said, “He (Keshi) is the boss, he is in charge of the team. As the chief you definitely have to call (him), this is what is going on and this is what it is. How did you see the game? And we break it down.”

“He chips in one, two, three (things), that is normal. You cannot play football alone, it is not an island.”

When asked about the current status of the Nigerian coaching position following the team’s 1-1 draw against South Africa on Sunday Amokachi said, “I’m an interim coach and that question should go to the administrators,” he said.

A stop page time goal from BonganiZungu cancelled out Ahmed Musa’s opener.

In Amokachi and Keshi, Nigeria have two former internationals heavily involved in the national team and the former Everton striker believes it is important that they utilise the talents at their disposal.

“Back in the 70’s, 80’s and 90’s in South Africa, during the apartheid era, South Africa had some great players who are legends, some unfortunately have already passed on. In Nigeria, it’s the same thing,” Amokachi said.

“Football is what we love, we love football and at the end of the day what we enjoy doing; we get paid doing it and we become legends out of it so we should take it seriously. It is our lifestyle.

“When God gives you a gift and you don’t respect that gift, believe me it will go down the drain. That is what we keep preaching to the players.”