Keshi gives fresh conditions to renew contract

Representatives of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) have held a secret meeting with Stephen Keshi to discuss terms of renewing his contract as the coach of the Super Eagles.

Keshi’s  contract ended at the Brazil 2014 World Cup and he told TheCable that he was not going to renew it ─ amidst reports that South Africa was preparing to offer him a job.

However, South Africa has appointed Ephraim ‘Shakes’ Mashaba, while there has been a major change at the NFF with the impeachment of its president, Alhaji Aminu Maigari.

TheCable was informed that Keshi met with some members of the NFF board at a location in Ikeja, Lagos, to discuss the terms of a renewal, which the minister of sport, Mr. Tamuno Danagogo, is very keen on.

“The meeting was cordial,” a source in the know told TheCable.

“Contrary to insinuations, he did not say his salary should be doubled. He wants to continue in the job but wants guarantees on those little things that matter.”

The NFF acting president, Chief Mike Umeh, and some board members had been mandated to speak with Keshi to ascertain what he would want for him to remain on the job.

One of the issues, according to the source, is the politicking in NFF that affected his job.

Part of his demands is that the influence of the technical committee should be reduced.

“The committee will still be there but they will not be dictating to the head coach but rather offer support in the areas he wants,” the source said.

“Keshi wants to be taken seriously, so we will go back to the board and report to them. The good thing is that we have heard him and have also told him what is possible so we know how to find a level ground for the best for Nigerian football.”

The former captain of the Super Eagles led Nigeria to win the African Cup of Nations in South Africa last ─ the first victory for Nigeria since 1994.

He also took Nigeria to the second round of the World Cup, during which Nigeria won a game for the first time since 1998.