One month to Bolivia game; NFF told journalists to play down Eagles coach palava

Babalola Tomiwa

The first vice president of the Nigeria Football Federation, Seyi Akinwunmi has urged journalist to abandon their assignment over the delay in the appointment of the new coach of the Super Eagles just one month till the nation’s national team host Bolivia in a friendly game against Bolivia in Uyo.

The coach less Super Eagles, who did not partake at the 2015 African Cup of Nations at Equitorial Guinea, are in their rebuilding process planning to host Bolivia, after Brazil opted out of a friendly game with the 2013 AFCON champions.

The NFF’s 1st vice president refused to make definite comments on behalf of his the football body as regards the future of coach Stephen Keshi when he spoke to media in Lagos.

While the NFF said it has prepared a contract for the 53-year-old that led the Super Eagles to the Round of 16 at the World Cup last June, information emerged last week that Keshi is in a three-man short-list for the job of the Burkina Faso national team coach.

"I think journalists should please take time [out] with the issue of Keshi, don't let us drag this Keshi issue, we shall announce a coach very soon,” Akinwunmi said.

“Keshi today, Keshi tomorrow, we should please leave the man alone and let him rest. Keshi’s issue is on the table and we are on it.”

Still on this matter, former coach of the national team, Christian Chukwu believes that there is a plot to frustrate the Africa Cup of Nations-winning manager.

Chukwu said that it would be a good move for Keshi if he heads over to train the Stallions while Nigeria would have lost a good talent.

“That will be a very great move for him while the country will be the loser,” Chukwu told Goal in an interview that would be published on Saturday.

“I think the Nigeria Football Federation doesn’t want him because if they do, he should have been given a contract by now.”

Keshi’s contract ran out at the end of the 2014 World Cup but it was not renewed which meant he worked without a contract during the failed campaign by the Super Eagles to qualify for the 2015 Afcon in Equatorial Guinea.

He was relieved of his job during that campaign after managing to win only one out of four opening matches but was recalled to lead the remaining qualifiers.

Former coach Shaibu Amodu and ex-player Jonathan Akpoborie have asked the NFF not to give Keshi the job. Goal

Are these NFF people serious at all?