He "didn't play well against Rwanda" - Okpala explains why Keshi stopped calling Taiye Taiwo

Taiye Taiwo, Nigerian professional footballer.
Photo: Getty via Pulse.ng

Former Assistant Coach of the Super Eagles Sylvanus Okpala has reacted to claims made by former Super Eagles left-back Taiye Taiwo on how corrupt practices made him quit the team.


Taiwo alleged that he couldn't cope with the shady nature of the former coach of the team Stephen Keshi hence his decision to quit the senior national team of Nigeria.

His revelation came at a time when the tenure of the late coach has been cited as when bribes were offered before a player can be selected.

The comments made by Taiwo has now drawn a reaction from Okpala who was one of the assistants of Keshi during that period.

According to Okpala, Taiwo boasted to some members of the team that he will get the coach sacked after his poor showing was addressed by the coach.

"I also read about Taiye Taiwo's outburst in the papers. After our experience with him, we never invited him again. During our AFCON qualifier against Rwanda. Taiye didn't play well in that game. Keshi complained after the match but the players went back to their rooms and started plotting how to remove Keshi. They never knew that Keshi's room was next to Taiye's room.

"Taiye was telling other players that Keshi was shouting on him on the pitch and that he will do to Keshi what he did to other coaches and ensure that Keshi was sacked.

"Keshi was in his room listening to all their conversations. Now, most of them are now coming to talk about money. It wasn't about money.

"Which coach will like to invite a player who wants him sacked in his team? It's not possible. I am telling you what happened as an insider."
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