Pinnick: We are not dribbling Keshi

Amaju Pinnick, president of Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), has debunked the rumour that the federation is merely deceiving Stephen Keshi with a new contract that would never be signed.

Keshi was meant to be offered a new contract to continue as Super Eagles coach last Friday, but the ceremony never took place which raised the suspicion that it was a ruse.

But Pinnick has come out to defend the federation.

“I am shocked at these insinuations because the NFF executive committee gave the go-ahead for a new contract with Keshi at its meeting in Uyo last month, and Keshi and his lawyers have looked at the contract agreement and are satisfied with every word in the final draft,” he told thenff.com.

“As a Federation, we have gone ahead to arrange some refresher programmes for Keshi, at nobody’s prodding, and which are meant to enhance Keshi’s knowledge and improve the man’s capacity as a world-class strategist.

“We would not be doing that if we are not ready to work with him. No one is forcing Keshi on us. We have sat down with him and he has agreed to all terms that we put down and he is ready to work to lift the Super Eagles back to glorious days.”

Pinnick, who is on a private visit to London, said on Sunday that the contract would definitely be signed early this week.

“There were a few ends to tighten and Keshi himself understands perfectly and is comfortable with the arrangements to have the contract sealed early this week,” he said.

“We are not dribbling him. He won the Africa Cup of Nations with the team and led Nigeria to the Round of 16 at the World Cup in his first term. It is the belief of the NFF that Keshi can still perform at the highest level.”