TheCable

Super Eagles coach, Stephen Keshi, has defended his players, following Wednesday’s 2-2 draw with Scotland — a game whose pre-match proceedings was dominated by match-fixing investigations.

Keshi, who has won the Africa Cup of Nations as captain and coach, said his team was not affected by the off-field issues before the kick-off.

“We did [talked about it] because it’s something ridiculous, something that we don’t know where it’s coming from. We’re not gamblers; we are football players,” he said during the post-match conference.

“I don’t even know where that is coming from; we don’t know what happened, match-fixing or no match-fixing. This is the first time I’ve been a coach or been a player and the first time I’m hearing this, match-fixing. I don’t think it had anything to do with our build-up or the game.”

On the pitch, Charlie Mulgrew opened the scoring for the Scots after 10 minutes before Michael Uchebo equalised with four minutes left of the first half.

Scotland regained the lead through an own goal by Azubuike Egwuekwe, but super-sub Uche Nwofor, converted an equaliser in stoppage time.

The Super Eagles’ next pre-World Cup game is against fellow Brazil-bound side, Greece in Philadelphia Union Stadium, USA, next Tuesday.