Keshi Intends to Make More Changes to the New-Look Eagles.

Super Eagles coach Stephen Keshi says the national team’s “rebuilding project” is still in full swing.

The 51-year-old tactician insists he does not have a regular team yet, stressing that he is open to more additions in his bid to strengthen the Eagles and reach the goal of having a “finished” assets of players.

Despite not making any change from the side that beat Malawi in Calabar last month for the October 13 World Cup playoff against Ethiopia, the coach of the African champions believes there’s always room for “change” in a football team circle.

“No matter how long you have a team, there are still one or two players you will see that you will like to bring into the team. There is no way you are going to have 11 or 18 players for two years and you don’t see the need to make one or two changes,” Keshi told supersport.com.

“If I have one or two good players better than what I have here, I may have to change. It’s part of building too because when they come in, they will have to learn our style of play.”

Keshi, who just returned from the United States of America where he had embarked on a family visit, further highlighted the impact of fresh talents in the squad, using the fledgling days of the now renowned Sunday Oliseh as an example.

“When I was captain of the national team, I still recall vividly when in 1993, (Clemens) Westerhof introduced a young player called Sunday Oliseh into his team,” he continued.

“A lot of eyebrows were raised because at that time, the late Thompson Oliha had made that position in midfield his own with strong performances over the previous four years.

Stephen Keshi Says He is Yet to Assemble a Finished Super Eagles Squad.
Stephen Keshi Says He is Yet to Assemble a Finished Super Eagles Squad.

“Oliseh played marvelously in his first two games for Nigeria and Oliha was never first choice again. My decision to look at new players is not based on sentiments. I do this in the interest of the country.

“We need players that will get us results and that is the most important thing because the present team is not the finished article.”

Since his appointment, the former Green Eagles captain has overseen a rebuilding process for the national team, which has had the likes of Joseph Yobo pave way for a young but fledgling talent, Kenneth Omeruo and many more.

He has always stressed the need for a competent team and believes little in big names- these he successfully tested on the way to a Afcon 2013 glory in South Africa.