Keshi Sacking: Chukwu, Ekeji Laud NFF's Decision

Stephen Keshi

On April 21, 2015 the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) rekindled its muddling relationship with Coach Stephen Keshi. However, less than three months down the line; this relationship has gone south.

This comes after the NFF took to its official website to announce the sacking of Coach Stephen Keshi and the appointment of Shuaibu Amodu as interim coach.

Stephen Keshi’s dismissal comes weeks after the NFF began investigations on him over an application for the position of Head coach of the Ivory Coast national football team.

It was gathered that out of the 59 applicants who were vying to replace Hervé Renard, the Ivorian Football Federation (FIF), Keshi was listed by the FIF among those who had declared interest in the job.

Keshi’s relationship with the NFF finally hit the rock after a statement on NFF website yesterday, July 5, revealed his dismissal.

The statement reads: “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, we realized Keshi lacked the required commitment to achieve the Federation’s objectives as set out in the Coach’s employment contract.

” 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.”

Keshi has however said he is yet to receive his sack letter, but this has gone under deaf ears as Nigerians have taken turn to applaud the NFF’s decision to do away with the axed coach.

Amongst which include, a former coach of Super Eagles, Christian Chukwu who said that sacked coach Keshi had the opportunity of leaving the position honourably when it became obvious that the NFF no longer needed his services.

Chukwu said the NFF was right in sacking Keshi. He said: “From day one, it was obvious the federation didn’t really want to work with Keshi and one could read it easily from their body language.

“Coaching job is all about hiring and firing and I hope Keshi will take it in good faith”.

According to Adokiye Amiesimaka, a former Green Eagles winger said; “It is clear that the moment he was employed and after winning the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) tournament, it was obvious they didn’t want him”.

Former Director-General of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Patrick Ekeji, said that the NFF was right by terminating the appointment of Stephen Keshi.

He said: “The NFF have done what they should have done before.”