The Nigeria Football Federation on Saturday terminated its contract with Super
Eagles coach, Stephen Keshi.
The sack may not be unconnected with Keshi’s application for a coaching job
with the Ivory Coast national team.
The NFF had said the coach would be sacked if it was established that he
actually applied for the job, a claim Keshi had consistently denied.
“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 ederation’s objectives as set out in the coach’s
employment contract,” a statement by the NFF Executive Committee read.
“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.”
“It added that the termination was “without prejudice to the settlement of any
existing and due financial obligations between the NFF and Mr. Keshi.
“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,” it concluded.
Both the NFF spokesman, Ademola Olajire and Keshi’s manager, Emmanuel Ado
confirmed the development which took most Nigerians by surprise.
by ROTMANLUV 2023-07-08, 17:34
