Keshi Gives Foreign Stars Monday Deadline

All invited foreign based players for the September 8, clash against the Lone Star of Liberia in Monrovia, are expected in camp latest Monday, September 3, 2012, Head Coach, Stephen Okechukwu Keshi has said.

Keshi, who spoke during the weekly media interaction with the team at the Bolton White Apartment camp, said only a few of the players are expected on Monday, as most of them who have Saturday games would have joined the home based stars by Sunday evening. “I can only categorically talk of Efe Ambrose, who has a game on Sunday and is expected on Monday, others will have arrived to join us so that we can have up to four or five training sessions together before we face Liberia”, he said.

‘Big boss’ as Keshi is fondly called also declared that his wish along with that of the NFA is for the team to leave the country 24 hours before the game and come back immediately after, so as to avoid any antics of the hosts.

He also took time off to congratulate two of the home based stars, Uche Kalu, who recently signed a professional contract with a Turkish second division side and dimunitive, Ejike Uzoenyi, who is presently in talks with top French side, Marseille SC.

“They have been consistent with us for eight months and the idea is for them not to rush into slave contracts, as had been the case, if they are beginning to get attention from clubs abroad, we are happy for them, because they will enrich the national team and also better the lives of their families. I wish them the best, but the two of them are expected early for the game against Liberia”, he said.