NFF ‘definitely not interested’ in renewing Keshi’s contract

A top member of the board of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has said that the federation is “definitely not interested” in renewing the contract of Super Eagles coach, Stephen Okechukwu Keshi.

On Monday, Keshi told TheCable exclusively that he was resigning his appointment because he was tired of the intrigues and backbiting surrounding the post.

But the board member, who declined to be identified, has revealed that the working relationship between the federation and the AFCON-winning coach has deteriorated to an extent that outrightly nullifies the possibility of a contract extension.

“The NFF will not renew Keshi’s contract for sure,” he said.

“We gave Keshi all he needs to succeed on the job, but it’s very apparent that he sees the federation as a rival and chose to do things his own way; and it is very apparent we will no longer be able to work with him.

“We both tolerated things till this stage and it’s best to part ways right now. We appreciate and thank him for all he has achieved with us so far. It is time for a change. We shall not react to his stories of moving on right now, as he himself has not stated categorically that he has really resigned and he has not put in a resignation letter officially. But we shall make our position very clear soonest.”

During an earlier interview with TheCable after the goalless first game with Iran, NFF head of technical committee, Chris Green, refused to disclose the federation’s plans for the then expiring contract, but suggested that a Keshi departure would have adverse consequences for the team’s development.

“We have not said we are going to terminate his contract. We have not said we are not going to continue with his contract, or that we are going to let him go, or that we are going to let him go at the end of his contract,” he had said.

“We are concentrating on the World Cup. Even the results may not determine whether he stays or not. That’s the truth. We are trying to build something that will last for a very long time, because that it is why we started the programme of building the national team. Don’t let’s put the cart before the horse. Let’s try and take it one after the other.”

Green added: “It is not an issue now whether Mr. Stephen Keshi will stay or leave. It is not an issue now. And if he says he wants to leave, I don’t think it’s going to be very good for all of us, because he needs to get concentrated on his job that he is doing. At the end of the day, let time tell.

“Let’s see what he brings in. But I’ll let you know that it is not in our agenda to think whether the coach’s contract is expiring or that we want to sack him. We are satisfied with what he’s done so far. If you are satisfied with what the coach has done so far, why will you be thinking of sacking him? We should be thinking of how to extend his contract for him to continue to stay. But if he doesn’t wish to stay, we will then look at it and take it from there.”