Stephen Keshi
By Duro Ikhazuagbe
Stephen Keshi was Wednesday night relieved the job of the Super Eagles despite putting back Nigeria’s floundering run in the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations back on track with a 3-1 home victory against Sudan at the Abuja National Stadium.
Keshi who was booed by fans into the dressing room at regulation time last night, won only two matches out of the 12 played by Eagles. Nigeria drew five and lost the other five.
Until Wednesday evening Super Eagles were at the bottom of the log of the AFCON 2015 with just a point from three matches having lost at home to Congo and away to Sudan. The lone point came from the drawn game with South Africa in Cape Town.
Wednesday’s 3-1 victory gave a temporary respite, moving Nigeria above Sudan on Four point with South Africa leading the group with eight point while Congo is second with seven points.
The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) rose from its executive committee meeting in Abuja on Wednesday night with the resolution to ask Keshi and his assistants like Daniel Amokachi and Ike Shorounmu to proceed on study leave.
In a communiqué signed by Suleiman Yahaya-Kwande, the NFF board praised Keshi and his crew for their glorious accomplishments to the team in the past three years
“We praise their glorious accomplishments to the senior national team in the past three years and hailed Stephen Keshi, Daniel Amokachi and Ike Shorounmu as true national heroes. However, in the interest of Nigeria football and the desire to ensure qualification for the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations finals, the Committee decided to relieve them of their duties with immediate effect,” said the communiqué.
It said that in recognition of their contributions to the Nigeria game, the Executive Committee of the NFF has also approved that the trio of Keshi, Amokachi and Shorounmu should proceed to any coaching course of their choice in any country of their choice to build their capacity, at the expense of the NFF. “All their entitlements will be paid within the next fortnight.”
Committee also, unanimously, approved the appointment of a consortium of coaches to lead the Super Eagles for the two concluding matches of the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying series (against Congo in Brazzaville and against South Africa in Uyo), after which an expatriate Coach will be appointed.
The consortium, led by Amodu Shaibu, also has Salisu Yusuf, Gbenga Ogunbote and Aloysius Agu. The team also has a new Coordinator in former international Garba Lawal, while Toyin Ibitoye was appointed as the new Media Officer. Godfirst Chike also took over as the new equipment manager. Team Secretary, Enebi Achor, was retained.
Also, former Super Eagles head coach,. Samson Siasia, was appointed as the new head coach of the U-23 men’s team. He will be assisted by Fatai Amoo, while the Technical and Development Committee is to recommend the other members of the crew.
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