NFF:NOT SERIOUS SAYS KESHI

Nigeria’s coach Stephen Keshi gives a press
conference at the Baixada Arena in Curitiba on
June 15, 2014, on the eve of their Group F 2014
FIFA World Cup football match against Iran. AFP
PHOTO
Stephen Keshi has appeared to rule himself out of
a return as Nigeria coach after losing patience
with the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF).
Keshi’s contract expired on 30 June, shortly after
he led Nigeria to the last 16 at the World Cup,
and he had been negotiating a new deal.
“Talks over a new contract shouldn’t drag on. I
can’t wait any more – the NFF is not serious.
“I have moved on. I can only wish the country
well for the future,” Keshi told BBC.
Talks had been ongoing since July but a series of
delays caused by problems within the federation,
including the sacking and the Fifa-ordered
reinstatement of the governing body’s president
Aminu Maigari.
“There’s a game in two weeks [Nations Cup
qualifier against Congo] but no-one is thinking
about it and at the same time they expect you to
win,” Kehsi continued.
“I understand the ongoing crisis facing the
federation but the national team should not suffer
from such at this crucial stage.
“Sadly, I also think attention is focused more on
the upcoming NFF elections and the national
team is simply not a priority.”
The NFF officials are understood to have offered
Keshi a new four-year deal and same $30,000-a-
month salary he was paid in his first stint as
manager, while the coach had asked for an
increase.
Keshi says he has rejected offers from other
African countries while the negotiations have been
going on.
“I’ve had about seven countries approach me in
the last two months but I kept them all away,” he
added.
“I love my country and I am aware of the dream
our fans had of me taking this team to the next
level.
“While acknowledging the efforts of some people
involved in the negotiation, I think others probably
have other important things to do.”
Nigeria have already named a 23-man squad for
their upcoming qualifiers against Congo on 6
September and South Africa four days later.
The defending champions will also face Sudan in
Group A with the top two advancing to January’s
finals in Morocco.
Meanwhile, NFF officials say Fifa has endorsed
their plan to hold a general assembly on 26
August to consider and approve a new roadmap
for elections of the body’s executive committee.
The assembly will be asked to postpone the
elections that were also due to be held on
Tuesday, following unresolved complaints raised
by some candidates.