By Mark Baber
July 6 – The current NFF leadership finally terminated Stephen Keshi’s (pictured) contract as national team coach, following their probe into how his name came up in a list of prospects to coach the Ivory Coast.
A statement by the controversially elected NFF Executive Committee, claimed the 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.”
The statement continued: “To this end and pursuant to the provisions of Clause 4.3 of the Employment Contract between Mr. Stephen Keshi and the NFF (The Contract) 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.”
The termination is apparently “without prejudice to the settlement of any existing and due financial obligations between the NFF and Mr. Keshi.”
With rumours abounding that an unnamed foreign coach has been “pencilled in” for the job, NFF 1st Vice President, Barrister Seyi Akinwunmi thanked Keshi for his efforts, wished him the best for the future and said that “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, who, 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.”
Keshi, who had claimed an agent put his name forward for the Ivory Coast job without his permission, was reportedly unsurprised by the development, saying, “I expected this long ago.”
Shaibu Amodu, who was appointed the country’s technical director last week, takes over as caretaker coach (the fifth time he has been in charge of the national team) and will be assisted by Salisu Yusuf until a permanent successor is appointed.
Whilst the NFF leadership may feel the sacking of Keshi marks a removal of a thorn in their side, a more serious threat to their positions looms, with the new Nigerian administration reportedly firing up to have a close look at the issues of corruption, breaches of sovereignty, electoral malpractice and maladministration in the NFF, now that open season has been declared on investigating FIFA worldwide and just as soon as they have tackled more serious issues facing the country.
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