Allegedly reinstated Super Eagles coach Stephen Keshi reportedly spoke on the issue Thursday, October 30, after meeting with Nigeria’s Sports Minister Tammy Danagogo.The news about Keshi’s return broke yesterday. Reports said that the former Eagles’ coach was to resume his duties and manage the national team in the November qualifiers for the 2015 African Cup of Nations (AFCON).
It would be recalled that his contract expired in summer, and for the 4 played qualifiers Keshi worked on an interim basis, with the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) considering whether to extend his contract or not.
Eventually they decided to ask Shaibu Amodu, the former Super Eagles’ coach, to proceed with the remaining 2 AFCON qualifiers.READ ALSO: Nigeria Is Not Serious Football Country – Ex-Super Eagles Coach Keshi
It was reported yesterday however that presidency held the emergency meeting with NFF head Amaju Pinnick Wednesday night and strongly recommended the football body to reinstate Keshi.
Reacting to the development, Keshi was said to have expressed his willingness to lead Super Eagles through the must-win November encounters with Congo and South Africa, Leadership reports.
The allegedly returned coach made this known yesterday in Abuja after a brief meeting with the Minister of sports and Chairman National Sports Commission (NSC), Tammy Danagogo.
He praised Jonathan for believing in him.
“Really, if it is true that President Jonathan had intervened and asked me to return as Eagles coach, I just thank him for that. I have not heard it, you guys are just telling me. I only came here to say hello to the minister of sports, Danagogo that’s all. Returning to Eagles’ job is going to be very hard, but I have my mind to think about it first, but if the president has ask me to return, for the peace to return in the country football which is important to the players too and for the love I have for the country I have served for fourteen years as a player while not despite the treatment meted on me.”
It would be noted that the NFF and Stephen Keshi used to have tense relationships. One of the issues made public was that the coach had been paid his salary for months.
And the football body accused Keshi of his reluctance to follow the rules and of choosing players not based on their performance, but based on his own preferences.
It is worth mentioning however that there has been no official confirmation by the NFF about Keshi’s reinstatement at the position of the Super Eagles head coach.
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