NFF fires Stephen Keshi, appoints Amodu
Stephen Keshi has been relieved of his duty as Super Eagles coach by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), and former coach Shaibu Amodu will now take charge of the remaining qualifying matches for the 2015 African Cup of Nations.
The executive committee of the NFF, at a meeting held at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja on Wednesday night, relieved the coach and his assistant of their duties with immediate effect.
Nigeria defeated Sudan 3-1 in Abuja a few hours earlier but still lies third in Group A and is in real danger of not making it to the finals to defend the trophy Keshi led them to win in South Africa in 2013.
In recognition of their contributions to the Nigeria game, the executive committee approved that the trio of Keshi, Daniel Amokachi and Ike Shorounmu should proceed to any coaching course in any country of their choice to build their capacity at the expense of the NFF.
The committee also, unanimously, approved the appointment of a consortium of coaches to lead the Super Eagles for only the two concluding matches of the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying series ─ against Congo in Brazzaville and against South Africa in Uyo ─ after which an expatriate coach will be appointed.
The consortium, led by Amodu Shaibu, also has Salisu Yusuf, Gbenga Ogunbote and Aloysius Agu.
The team also has a new coordinator in former international Garba Lawal.
Keshi has been having a run battle with the authorities since after the World Cup in Brazil, where he could only win one match.
He initially said he had resigned, but later recanted, saying his contract expired and had not been renewed.
For months, he was engaged in negotiations with NFF for a new contract, and his match-by-match agreement to coach the Super Eagles has not produced any positive results.
He has been saying recently that several countries are waiting to engage his services.
I do agree that Keshi should go but thinking of a foreign coach is ludicrous. Me think it’s another money making venture for dis new NFF. Period
Oh well, I have soft spot 4 Keshi but his unforgiving spirit did him in this time!
I guess those 3 nations begging him will be scrambling for him now!
I’ll advise he goes for that refresher course though, he needs it!
Hahahahahahaha. Keshi need alot of training in football and in character
I’m so pleased with the development! But, I’ve my reservation concerning the coaching course they were told to go for; to whose benefit, if I may ask? Had Keshi and assistants did what they did with Eagles for free? May help our thinking in this country!
Am an surprised,have been expecting this action from the NFF. Too bossy,arogant,lazy,over confidence brought about the downfall of keshi. That serves him right. He respects not the agreement with the NFF nd respects not his country far altering such statement “countries are waiting to sign me” when he should be appologisisng to the nation at large.
Good riddance. I think Keshi did himself in by being talkative, vindictive and arrogant. I wish him well. I also have to commend NFF for the coaching course offer to the crew – tempering justice with mercy. But beyond that, however, is the spirit of patriotism that is evidently missing in the Super Eagles. This, of course, is not unique to the team, rather it’s a national problem as Nigerians are generally selfish. Almost always, we think about what we’ll get HERE and NOW rather than what is in it for our nation. And this’s why we keep on chnaging crews and players for almost every competition. How then can we excel? God save our country!!!
Good radiance to bad rubbish. Wish him well in his future endeavours. Spent bullet.
Little surprise. I am never a football lover either local or non-locals, but I have been watching the charade of brickbat between Stephen Keshi and his employers in the past weeks and I am never happy with Keshi’s boastful salvos on some National sport issues. With N60million per year, a car and accommodation to his comforts, I think Keshi owes this country a slave-commitment. All the same, Good luck Okey.