Keshi explains why he included players from the local league in his squad

Stephen Keshi has revealed why he gave a chance to several players based in the Nigerian local league. The ‘Big Boss’ says it is because some of them showed good quality during the time they were in camp.

“We have a lot of good players in the local league and I came out of the local league before I moved to Europe. The Bull (Daniel Amokachi) was also from the local league and a lot of us, Finidi George, Jay Jay Okocha,” he told YNaija. “I think it’s the right thing to do to give the local boys opportunity to play. I’m so proud of them what they did against Catalonia, especially in the second half… they played as if they’ve been playing professional football abroad. It’s good and its going to help the local league in Nigeria to grow because it will encourage other local players to work hard.”

Speaking ahead of the Nations Cup, Keshi says it would be difficult to win the trophy, but the team will have a go.

He said: “It’s going to be a tough tournament, Zambia is a good team and Burkina Faso, not forgetting Ethiopia. We are working out and we see how it goes.

“For now Nigeria is underdog we just go there and do our job.”

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