TheCable

Amaju Pinnick, president of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), say Stephen Keshi was relieved of his job so as to maintain his hero status in Nigeria football.

The new board sacked Keshi on Thursday despite his side’s 3-1 win against Sudan that gave Nigeria a mathematical chance of qualifying for AFCON 2015.

During the match at the Abuja national stadium, soccer fans called for the head of Keshi, with some going further to show their displeasure on placards.

Now, Pinnick says the decision not to renew Keshi’s contract was in his interest and that of the nation.

“Does it sound right for us to say that the Eagles played for Keshi and not for the country? So if a new coach comes in now, what would they do? We took the decision in the best interest of the nation,” he said.

“We also saw a lot of things that had happened in the past, as there were issues that bothered about security because it was from the beginning of our game against Sudan that a hero in Keshi was booed.

“We took this decision to save Keshi and let him know that he’s a hero and should remain a hero.”

A consortium of coaches led by Shuaibu Amodu was appointed to manage the Super Eagles in their remaining qualifying matches against Congo and South Africa.

Their immediate task is to secure a win against Congo in Pointe Noire on November 15.

Nigeria have four points after three matches while second-placed Congo are on seven points.

Group leaders South Africa travel to Nigeria for the final qualifying game on November 19.