Why Keshi Made U-Turn On Eagles’ Contract
A clearer picture on why Coach Stephen Keshi swallowed his pride to accept the new deal offered to him by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) is beginning to emerge.
Keshi initially took charge of the Super Eagles in November 2011, after former handler, Samson Siasia, was sent packing for failing to qualify Nigeria for the 2012 African Nations Cup hosted by Gabon and Equatorial Guinea. Keshi’s contract ran out after Brazil 2014 World Cup, and his failure to qualify the Super Eagles for the recently concluded AFCON in Equatorial Guinea prompted a debate on whether or not to give him a new contract.
The ‘Big Boss’ has now been offered a two-year deal by the NFF. He had earlier declared that the deal amounts to a “slave contract,” a statement that did not go down well with the NFF. “From the clauses I have seen so far, I don’t know what words to use, but the contract can be described as a ‘slave contract’”, Keshi said, in reference to clauses which make him answerable to several persons and committees.
But an official of the NFF told The Guardian yesterday that both the NFF Technical Committee and Keshi sat down in a round table to iron out some of the ‘clauses’ in the contract. “One of the key issues Keshi and his lawyers hammered on, was the clauses, which makes him answerable to some persons in the NFF. He insisted that instead of the clause to read ‘work under’ it should read ‘work with’, which we have accepted.
“Every other aspect of the contract, including his monthly take home, what he will get as match allowance and winning bonuses have been taken care of,” the official said. Keshi won the Nations Cup as a player with Nigeria in 1994. However, the decision by the NFF to hand Keshi the new deal is not going down well with many Nigerians who feel that the coach does not deserve it after failing to qualify the Super Eagles for the last Nations
Get the latest news delivered straight to your inbox every day of the week. Stay informed with the Guardian’s leading coverage of Nigerian and world news, business, technology and sports.
7 Comments
Keshi is a special coach to the officials of Nff. The officials know their cut. I respect Siasia Samson. He was sent packing for failing to qualify Nigeria for Afcon in 2012. Here is rude Keshi who failed to qualify Nigeria for 2015 is being patronised. Nigerians are watching!
You forgot to mention that Keshi won AFCON in 2014 and took Nigeria to 2014 World cup.
You forgot to mention that Keshi scored 4 points out of possible 12 at the World Cup.
You forgot to mention the worst eagles performance in history against Iran when Eagle failed to record any shot at goal
You forgot to mention that Keshi broke a record by losing to lost to Sudan, Congo Brazaville
Keshi,Nff,Jonah Are toying with the sentiment of Nigerians just wait and see what will happened at Super Eagles match with keshi in charge.Nigerians don’t want him period.
The issue now is whether NNF will give keshi a free hand. This work with, work under. I don’t understand
We will review and take appropriate action.