NFF shops for Stephen Keshi’s replacement
There are very strong indications that
Stephen Keshi will not continue as the Super Eagles coach, on interim or
permanent basis, after the match against Sudan in Abuja on Wednesday. The PUNCH
learnt that three factors have contributed largely to his continued
stay as the Nigeria coach despite the humiliating 1-0 loss to Sudan on
Saturday.
The decision by the president of the
Nigeria Football Federation, Amaju Pinnick, to hold far reaching
discussions with his members; the need to also brief higher authorities
and the search for a quality replacement have combined to keep Keshi on
the driving seat going into the reverse match against Sudan billed for
Wednesday. Our correspondent learnt on Monday that Keshi could be asked
to step aside after the Wednesday match.
A member of the NFF board who spoke with The PUNCH
on Monday said that a meeting of the Federation had been fixed for 8pm
on Tuesday and that the meeting billed for Abuja will take the decision
on the way forward with the national team.
He said, “You know that the decision to
ask Keshi to go or continue is a major one that can’t be taken by just a
few persons. The board is meeting on Tuesday and I know that all the
questions will be answered by
that meeting.”
Another person with deep knowledge of the
happenings at the Federation told our reporter that the search for a
good manager is also slowing down decision.
“The search is on for a replacement. What
has been the challenge is the closeness of the matches to each other
but I guess that will be taken care of very soon with a bold manager to
take the challenge.”
A former Sunshine Stars goalkeeper coach, Segun Oguns told SuperSport Keshi should be dropped instantly.
Oguns said another coach other than Keshi
could comfortably qualify Nigeria for the biennial event in Morocco by
going ahead to win Sudan on Wednesday as well as the other two games
against South Africa and Congo.
“I think it’ll be a dashed hope for Maroc
2015 AFCON if Stephen Keshi would still take charge of the game against
Sudan on Wednesday as well as the other two games involving South
Africa and Congo.
“I strongly believe with a new coach on the saddle we can win Sudan but not with Keshi still in charge.
“With Keshi still taking charge then we
must prepare our minds for another uneventful game against Sudan as his
penchant for going around picking new players has failed to lift the
team.
“Eagles under Keshi made the likes of
Congo and Sudan become superstars, countries that ordinarily couldn’t
withstand the onslaught of our domestic teams.”
