Keshi's gamble caused Nigeria's Afcon failure - says;Garba Lawal

The ex-international believes the unnecessary changes made by the Super Eagles trainer cost the African champions a place at Afcon 2015

Former Nigeria international, Garba Lawal, has blamed coach Stephen Keshi for the country's inability to participate at the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations in Equatorial Guinea.
A second half brace from Sone Aluko of Hull City only averted epic defeat to South Africa, but failed to qualify Nigeria for the finals after the game ended in a 2-2 draw at the Akwa Ibom Stadium in Uyo.
The 40-year-old insists that the failure of Keshi's men to reach the finals was as a result of the non-result oriented play and lack of clear-cut tactics paraded by Keshi.
He lamented the decision of the manager to consistently field players who have failed in quality and creativity in the national team.
"Of course, the coach, not players should be held responsible for the failure of the team to qualify the country. The coach picked the players, if he didn't invite them they won't play,” Lawal told Sportmasta.
“The players he paraded could not bring result for us, when we have a pool of talents who could have done better.
"In football, you cannot appreciate any player when a team fails to get results. It is a team failure. For the game against South Africa, all the players did not do well because he had no tactical game plans.
"I have no bias or grudge against Keshi as many purport, but I can’t keep quiet from saying the truth about what affects our game.
“If we must move forward as a country, we must tell ourselves the obvious. Keshi is a great coach, but we must come out clean.”
Lawal, who is currently the team manager of relegated Kaduna United, urged the Nigeria Football Federation to appoint a coach that will transform the national team if Keshi fails to continue.
"What the future holds for the Super Eagles is very unclear. We don't know who is likely to be the new coach. You never can tell if Keshi will be removed or retained. Whether foreign or local coach, I don't have any choice," he said.
"The important thing is for the coach to have the technical know how and do the right thing. He should invite players that can bring results for the country without sentiments and personal interest," Lawal concluded.