President Goodluck
Jonathan has ordered the immediate reinstatement of former Super Eagles coach,
Stephen Okechukwu Keshi.Keshi’s contract with the Nigeria Football Federation
was not renewed after the World Cup in Brazil. But in a twist of fate, Sports
Minister and Chairman of the National Sports Commission, Tammy Danagogo invited
the Afcon winning coach to return to the team and prosecute the first phase of
the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Congo, South Africa and
Sudan.President Jonathan with the Afcon trophy pose with Super Eagles coach,
Stephen Keshi at the reception.The campaign has been a near disaster as the
Eagles could only garner 4 points from a possible 12. Nigerians were enraged
and called for the head of the coach. Keshi was subsequently asked to go by the
new NFF board.President Jonathan’s order for the reinstatement of the embattled
coach was not unexpected as there were reports of a strong lobby group
comprising people from high places campaigning for the return of the former
Hawks of Togo coach.The former international said he was not angry against
those who relieved him of his assignment but admitted he was ready to return as
a sign of respect to Mr President.“If the number one citizen of this country
asked me to stay back I wouldn’t want to think any other team because this is
the team I captained for 14 years and have coached for some years too but
sometimes you do have mixed feelings because of what is on ground”.Concerning
the must win second leg tie of the 2015 African Cup of Nations (AFCON)
qualifier against Congo, Keshi said there is nothing to worry about because he
still has his team intact.He however, complained complained that Nigerians
don’t seem to appreciate what he and his players were doing for the country.
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