Mediocre foreign coaches degrading African football – Nigeria coach

Nigeria coach Stephen Keshi. Picture: Sydney Mahlangu/BackpagePix

Nigeria coach Stephen Keshi has once again reiterated his stance on mediocre European coaches coming to Africa.

However, the outspoken Keshi said the blame was squarely on football federations who bring these under-achievers to the continent.

The former Super Eagles captain said he did not have a problem working under a white coach but the coach should have achieved a lot.

“I don’t mind working with a white coach, and I have worked with them throughout my career, as long as I learn something from them. But do not bring a carpenter or a mediocre coach here and say they are coaches. They are degrading African football,” said Keshi.

He said African players deserved better and should be treated with respect by their federations.

“We have capable ex-players who can do the job but because of their skin colour they are prejudiced and this is not correct. I don’t like it.”

Keshi is one of two African coaches who have led their teams to the semifinals of the Africa Cup of Nations. The other one is Ghanaian Kwesi Appiah.

They will come up against Frenchman Patrice Carteron and Belgian Paul Put who are in charge of Mali and Burkina Faso.