Keshi, Gambo criticism unfair

Former Nigeria captain Henry Nwosu  is saddened by the criticism Stephen Keshi has been subjected to since the Super  Eagles were sent packing from the Confederations Cup in Brazil.

The African champions defeated Oceania Nations Cup winners Tahiti 6-1 in their first match in the tournament but lost 2-1 against South American powerhouse Uruguay in their next encounter, while  classy Spain beat them  3-0 on Sunday to send them out of Brazil.

 Keshi and striker Gambo Muhammed   have been hit with a lot of criticism from some Nigerians, following the Eagles’ mediocre showing against the European and world champions. Nigeria were punished for failing to convert their chances with  Gambo, who replaced  Joseph Akpala in the 71st minute,  missing  a glorious chance against the stranded  Spain goalkeeper Victor Valdes.

But 1980 Africa Cup of Nations winner Nwosu believes the criticism Keshi  has received is “unfair”, insisting that his former NNB and Eagles teammate deserves “commendation, not condemnation.”

“I expected  the Eagles to use the  Confederations Cup as a stepping stone to success in the World Cup qualifiers and I didn’t expect them to perform magic in the tournament,” he said.

“It was to assess our team and I’m glad we’ve made some observations. I believe Keshi has noticed one or two things that he needs to correct before the World Cup qualifier against Malawi (in Calabar on September 6).

“But I’m surprised that Keshi is being condemned less than  five months after winning the Africa Cup of Nations.

“He deserves commendation, not condemnation for what he has achieved since he took charge of the national team.

“I’m not saying people shouldn’t criticise him  but they should be constructive in their criticsm.”

The ex-Nigeria midfield star  dismissed the suggestions that  Kano Pillars’ Gambo missed Nigeria’s best chance against Spain because he is a home-based player.

He said, “Was Sunday Mba not a home-based player when he scored the winning  goal for Nigeria against Burkina Faso in the final of  the Africa Cup of Nations?

“It’s a pity Gambo missed the chance. We should not kill him because he missed a chance in one match.”

The Maroc ’88 Africa Cup of Nations silver medallist  insisted the Eagles would have performed better in Brazil if  Emmanuel Emenike and Victor Moses  had made the squad.