The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has terminated the appointment of Stephen Keshi as coach of the Super Eagles. Keshi recently signed a two-year contract with the NFF after he was relieved of his job for failing to qualify the country for the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations in Equatorial Guinea. But the federation has again wielded the stick on the coach for “lacking the required commitment to achieve the federation’s objectives”. A statement bythe NFF executive committee on Saturday gave reasons why the Big Boss’ contract was terminated. “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 on the federation’s website 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.” Seyi Akinwunmi, NFF vice president, said the decision was not taken lightly or with any prejudice, but in the ultimate interest of Nigeria football. He thanked Keshi for his services to the country and wished him the very best in his future endeavours. “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,” Akinwunmi said. Keshi was first named head coach of the Super Eagles in 2011 but his contract lapsed after the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil.
-The Cable
