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Former Nigeria coach Christian Chukwu has commended the efforts of Stephen Keshi in fashioning a playing pattern for the national team with particular reference to the players based in the Nigeria Premier League.
Chukwu noted that Keshi was on the right path as his decision to have a standing locally-based side will change the mentality of all players, whether they play at home or abroad.
“Keshi has done well and I am happy for him because he has been able to create the enabling environment for the players based at home to have a sense of belonging, Chukwu told SuperSport.
“In time past, nobody reckoned with the fact that we have good players at home. Some coaches pay lip service to the fact that they need to motivate the players.
“But it is a good thing that Keshi has shown that we also have good players in the country.
“The home based players would not just travel to any obscure leagues because they want to attract the attention of national team coaches.
“With what Keshi has done, only the foreign based players that are required would be invited.
“It is a new dawn for football and of course for our players in the country because they can now stay back and ply their trade instead of just running away at the slightest opportunity,” Chukwu said.
Culled from Supersports.com
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