Stephen Keshi is set to sign a new contract as Nigeria coach next week, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) executive committee announced. The 52-year-old’s initial contract expired with the World Cup in Brazil, but he expressed his willingness to continue after leading the Super Eagles to last year’s Africa Cup of Nations title and a place in the round of 16 in Brazil. “The executive committee has mandated the secretariat to reach out to Keshi and conclude the details of his contract,” NFF spokesperson Emeka Iyama said. “We expect that the signing would be next week so that he can resume work ahead of the fast-approaching 2015 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying series,” he said. Keshi’s immediate task will be a 2015 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier on September 7 between Nigeria and Rwanda. South Africa and Sudan are also in the group with the top two qualifying for the finals in Morocco in January. Nigeria Football Federation’s claims that it has reached a contract agreement with coach Stephen Keshi may be an ‘executive lie’ as the former Super Eagles captain denied ever holding any contract talks with the country’s football ruling house. Media reports quoting executive committee member, Emeka Inyama had stated that Keshi will resume this week to kick start preparations for the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers starting on September 7 against Rwanda. South Africa and Sudan are next in line matches that will be prosecuted. But Keshi who led the Eagles to a second round finish at the Brazil 2014 World Cup told sports radio Brilafm that it was not true that he was resuming within the week as been speculated. “I got an e-mail asking me if i’d like to continue and indicate if i want. My response was affirmative, but events have overtaken that.” Keshi revealed. ” However we did not negotiate, there was no terms reached so how can anyone come to say they want to announce me as Nigeria’s Coach? We did not discuss anything,” Keshi said in an angry tone. The 2013 African Cup of Nations winner had a frosty relationship with the NFF as he voiced out his frustrations recently. They include late payment of his salary, sacking of his assistant Sylvanus Okpala and paying one of his assistant from his own pocket. During the world cup Keshi had said that the NFF must have to respect the terms of his contract agreement. Keshi had also demanded for a rise in pay otherwise he would take a walk. He was linked to the Bafana Bafana of South Africa job, but as it turned out he wasn’t even considered by the South African Football Federation, which shorted listed Carlos Queiroz and Ephriam ‘ Shakes’ Maseheba. Speaking on the development, former Super Eagles fast winger, Tijani Babangida said it was out of place for the NFF to come out and annouce a deal when there was no contract talks.
Posted on: Mon, 11 Aug 2014 04:15:37 +0000
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