Nigeria World Cup provisional list: Hamilton, Onigbinde, Nwosu react.

Stephen Keshi’s provisional 30-man list for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil yesterday elicited mixed reactions from some notable stakeholders in Lagos.

The much awaited list was finally released on Tuesday in Abuja, after Keshi had met with the Technical Committee of the Nigeria Football Association (NFA).

Paul Hamilton, a former coach of the Super Eagles, said that he was satisfied with the list and had implicit trust in their ability to perform.

Hamilton, who was also a Chief Coach of the Super Falcons in the early 1990s, said that it was normal for some people to make the list while some would not.

“The list is not an endless one which can take everyone and so what we are seeing is expected.

“Keshi knows what he wants and I am sure he used that in his selection process, I am sure that he has good intentions,” he said.

A former Golden Eaglets Chief Coach, Henry Nwosu, urged Nigerians to support and respect Keshi’s selection.

Nwosu said Keshi is the head coach and the World Cup is a major competition so he would not want to disappoint people.

“He has done a good thing in juggling the

players, bringing in some news ones for the World Cup.

“Let us all know that he can’t satisfy everyone in his selection and accept it by knowing that he has good intentions,” he said.

Adegboye Onigbinde, a former Super Eagles coach, hailed the decisive manner with which Keshi had gone about the task of selecting the players he needed in the buildup to the World Cup.

Onigbinde said that Keshi had done what was expected of him to release a list and urged Nigerians to support him.

“He chose those he believes will execute his plans for the World Cup and I am optimistic of a good outing.

“No one does a thing without a plan so let’s give him the chance to carry out his plans,” he said.

Tayo Balogun, a renowned sport analyst, said that Nigeria was in a very tough group which many people did not seem to realise.

Balogun said that Iran had been preparing so hard for the competition by engaging their players in series of friendly matches to build up for the World Cup.

“The Group F where we are alongside Argentina, Bosnia-Herzegovina and Iran is a very tough one and we need to take serious precautions not to fall.

“We need all the seriousness and commitment before and during the World Cup because it is a major tournament,” Balogun said.

He, however, charged Yobo, who eventually made the provisional list, to use his wealth of experience to mentor his fellow players, especially the younger ones.

“Yobo should use his pedigree to keep the team all through the competition because they need motivation to carry on.

“Motivation is also a vital tool needed by the players to keep going and not to be dampened for what so ever reason,” he said.