The Super Eagles head coach Stephen Keshi’s contract has been terminated by the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF). An investigations into his interest and proposed application for a rival job with Ivory Coast surfaced. Keshi denied the allegation.
Over recent weeks, Keshi and the NFF have been involved in a rancorous dispute after it was rumoured that the coach had applied for the job of Ivory Coast manager. Ivory Coast is currently looking for a manager to handle their national team and it is believed that Keshi’s submitted an application form, expressing his interest. The NFF set up a committee to investigate the matter and it appears to have found the coach guilty. Ivory Coast has agreed on a shortlist of five and Keshi’s name is not on the list but this has not prevented the NFF from moving against him.
A statement by the NFF Executive Committee over the weekend said decision was made. “Having thoroughly reviewed the reports/findings of the NFF Disciplinary Committee and NFF Technical and Development Committee, as well as having reviewed the actions and inactions of Mr Stephen Keshi, in the performance of his duties as Super Eagles’ head coach, which we found to lack the required commitment to achieve the federation’s objectives as set out in the coach’s employment contract. To this end and pursuant to the provisions of Clause 4.3 of the Employment Contract between Mr Stephen Keshi and the NFF and the various clauses therein, the Nigeria Football Federation has decided to exercise its option to summarily terminate the employment contract of Mr. Stephen Keshi with the federation with immediate effect.”
According to the NFF, the termination was without prejudice to the settlement of any existing and due financial obligations between the federation and Keshi. NFF first vice president Seyi Akinwunmi, assured Nigerians that the decision was not taken lightly or with any prejudice but in the ultimate interest of Nigeria football.
Mr Akinwunmi added: “In the interim, the Super Eagles’ team affairs will be jointly managed by assistant coach, Salisu Yusuf and the technical directorate of the NFF headed by coach Shuaibu Amodu, until the federation names in due course a new head coach. He, along with the NFF will chart a new direction for the Super Eagles to ensure credible participation in international competitions and assist in building a sustainable football culture for the country.”
While thanking Keshi for his services to the country, Mr Akinwunmi wished him the very best in his future endeavours. The statement also stated that, the Eagles’ team affairs would be jointly managed by Assistant Coach, Salisu Yusuf and the Technical Directorate of the federation, headed by Coach Shaibu Amodu, until it named in due course a new Head Coach.
Keshi had a two-year contract that should have taken him up to the end of the 2017 African Cup of Nations. He previously had a 3 years contract and was in charge of the Super Eagles during the knock-out rounds of the 2014 World Cup in Brazil and winning a third Africa Cup of Nations the previous year.
Source: Nigerian Watch
