Super Eagles coach Stephen Keshi has outlined the importance of long-term planning for the building of a competitive national team squad.
The trainer, who replaced Samson Siasia last year following the latter’s failure to lead Nigeria to a place at the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations, has overseen a few warm-up games since taking over the reins.
Keshi says he needs at least four years to build a strong national team.
“National team coaches don’t really have the luxury of working with players for an extended period of time. In a given year, the maximum number of matches on the average for a national team is nine matches and for each of those games, you only have about four training sessions with the boys so it’s difficult,” Keshi told SuperSport.com.
The former Togo and Mali coach also made a point about supporters of the national team imbibing the quality of patience as he continues his process of rebuilding the Super Eagles.
“It takes time to build with the professionals (foreign-based players). It will take a minimum of two years and a maximum of four years to build a solid national team,” Keshi explained.
Keshi is currently preparing 29 home grown players for another tune-up game against Liberia on February 15.