The Super Eagles will prosecute their last two 2015 African Cup of Nations qualifiers in November with ‘sacked’ Eagles chief coach Stephen Keshi in charge.
The embattled coach regained his job following the meeting between President Goodluck Jonathan and the duo of NFF President Amaju Pinnick and Chris Giwa, who insists that he (Giwa) is the rightful boss of the Nigerian FA after an elective congress in Abuja held on August 26.
This development is understood to be part of the peace deal in the Nigeria Football Federation crisis after President Goodluck Jonathan mediated in the leadership saga that has infuriated FIFA who has threatened to ban Nigeria from international football if the Jos High Court case indicting the NFF President Pinnick was not struck out.
FIFA considers football issues being taken to civil courts as government interference and failure to resolve the crisis in the Nigerian FA will attract a ban that will last till May 2015.
Media officer of the Super Eagles Toyin Ibitoye on Thursday tweeted that Keshi is set to return to his job.
“Keshi Returns as @NGSuperEagles Coach.”
But, after a meeting with Sports Minister, Tammy Danagogo, in his office yesterday morning, Keshi told reporters he still need to take a long reflection on the presidential directive before deciding to take a plunge with the national team.
“It is a very, very difficult decision. I am not sure I would say ‘no’ for now or ‘yes’ to the order. I still have to think about it because we all want peace. I want a settled mind before making the decision. I don’t have issues with anybody because life is too short. This is my country. I am always willing to offer my service. If I desperately wanted a contract, I would have opted for the offer made by Equatorial Guinea because the offer they made was bigger than what Nigeria offered. But this is my country and I want to serve it,” said Keshi.
Also yesterday, interim Head Coach of the senior national team, Coach Shaibu Amodu, pleaded passionately with the leadership of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to allow Keshi return to his post to lead Eagles in the two remaining matches of the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.
In a letter dated 27th October, 2014 and addressed to NFF President, Amaju Pinnick, through the chairman of NFF Technical Committee, the 56 –year old tactician who was named as new head coach penultimate week, said he wanted Keshi reconsidered for the two matches as the time –frame was too short to tinker with the fabric of the squad or start to build a new one altogether.
“Following wide consultations that I have carefully made within the past two weeks since the appointment, and for the sake of professionalism, I want to specially appeal to you to reconsider the matter and allow Stephen Keshi to finish the project that he has started – the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying race.
“Sir, my opinion also is that the time –frame is too short to start tinkering with the fabric of the team or attempt to build a new team altogether.
“As Technical Director of the NFF, I am ready and willing to help build a better relationship among Keshi (with whom I have enjoyed good working relationship in the past and who is still very close to me), the players and the NFF Technical Committee.
“I am assuring you, Mr. President, that I will offer whatever assistance required by Keshi and his crew for the remaining two matches, and also be there to offer advice, suggestions and efforts towards building a stronger Super Eagles’ team after the qualifying race,” observed the former Orlando Pirates of South Africa gaffer. – Additional reports from Complete Sports, Thisday.
