One of the few coaches that saw it all through with late
During Keshi's successful stints as head coach for the national teams of
The Beninese who was a physical trainer saw Keshi more than a close friend but as a 'twin'
In this interview with PREMIUM
Keshi's well-known right-hand man also touches on the recent bribery allegations targeted at his former boss as well as his thoughts on the current Super Eagles coach,
Excerpts:
PT: You suddenly went underground after Keshi's death. You must have been devastated by his passing?
Houdonou: It was a sad experience for me because he was my closest friend right from our time in
At a time, it became so depressing to the extent that picking up another job was impossible for me. I almost quit coaching. I had to summon the courage to take up a job with Kwara United before joining Sokoto United.
PT: As the only indigenous coach to have won the
Houdonou: Every coach has its own methods, and Keshi felt if
Big boss knew everybody in
PT: What was the support like from NFF?
Houdonou: Honestly, NFF gave us the much-needed support at that time when we presented our programme. Big boss then assigned my humble self, Dan Amokachi and Silvanus Okpala to watch league matches and discover good players. We wanted to create a pressure at a higher level for all the players to compete. That was how we got Egwueke, Oboabona, Mba and Oshaniwa
PT: Some players said Keshi demanded cash for shirt before 2014
Houdonou : (Cuts in) Let people talk. These accusations cannot be substantiated. It is just a ploy to run down local coaches so that NFF will stop having faith in them. With due respect to
I had a contract with the then NFF and was owed for 12 months after our
PT: The inclusion of Shola Ameobi,
Houdonou : Shola Ameobi was doing well in
Ideye and Mba did not perform at the
PT: What about Uchebo,
Houdonou: Are you saying Babatunde didn't justify his inclusion at the World Cup? Of course, you know Uchebo and Ramon didn't get enough playing time. We didn't have enough quality in the midfield apart from Mikel and Onazi, so we needed to bring in
The fact that he is still part of Rohr's Eagles today means nobody can fault Keshi decision to pick Ramon at that time.
PT: Rohr said the league is not producing good players. What is your take on this?
Houdonou: I totally disagree with him. We discovered homegrown players before 2013
It means our league is dead then. I believe if Rohr can give his local coaches the needed tools to scout, they will fish out good players from the league.
PT: Pundits feel Amuneke is the best candidate to take over from Rohr.
Houdonou: I have nothing against Rohr. He is a good coach most especially if you look at the way his team play. I strongly believe a local coach will also do well once they enjoy the same support foreign managers get from NFF, it's that simple.
We have ex-internationals like Eguavoen, Amokachi, Oliseh, Amuneke, and Finidi who know their onions, but they must be fully supported. If NFF can give them the same support white coaches enjoy, they will give you the right results.
PT: Any final words for this interview
Houdonou: Keshi is a legend! He gave a lot to this country as a player and a coach. He deserves our respect and not condemnation. God bless
Editor's Note: Interview was conducted before the NFF's official confirmation of a new deal for Rohr.
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