By Andrew Warshaw
February 14 – Just days after announcing he was resigning having led Nigeria to African Nations Cup glory, Stephen Keshi has performed a u-turn after an apparent meeting with high-ranking political officials.
In trademark fashion in the turbulent world of African football, the Nigerian coach told a radio station following victory in South Africa that he was immediately leaving his post, apparently unhappy with all the in-fighting and bickering.
It has been suggested that Keshi was upset with the haphazard way the squad were forced to prepare for the tournament, and that return flights were booked by the national federation for straight after the quarterfinals because they didn’t believe the squad could progress any further.
African nations are notorious for stop-gap coaching appointments and the Nigerians have got through a remarkable 19 in as many years since the last of their four AFCON victories. Unconfirmed reports suggest they were scouting for Keshi’s successor behind his back.
But after being feted in the wake of restoring national pride, Keshi, the first black coach for a generation to lift the title, was apparently given certain assurances and has been persuaded to change his mind after meeting with Nigerian president Goodluck Jonathan, Sports Minister Bolaji Abdullahi and other government officials.
“As things stand right now, Keshi has only conditionally withdrawn his resignation,” his brother was quoted as saying. “Should he not be satisfied that genuine attempts will be made to rectify the problems affecting football in the country, then he will have no other choice than to walk away.”
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