The Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) has announced the firing of Super Eagles coach Stephen Keshi. In a surprise decision on Saturday evening, the Federation cited a lack of commitment on the part of the 53-year-old Keshi to manage the senior national team as the reason for his sack.

Assistant coach Salisu Yusuf and director of football Shuaibu Amodu have been tasked to handle the team in the interim before a substantive coach is appointed.

The statement by the Executive Committee reads: “Having thoroughly reviewed the reports/findings of the NFF Disciplinary Committee and NFF Technical and Development Committee, as well as having reviewed the actions and inactions of Mr. Stephen Keshi, in the performance of his duties as Super Eagles’ head coach, which we found to lack the required commitment to achieve the Federation’s objectives as set out in the coach’s employment contract.

“To this end and pursuant to the provisions of clause 4.3 of the employment contract between

Mr. Stephen Keshi and the NFF (the contract) and the various clauses therein, the Nigeria Football Federation has decided to exercise its option to summarily terminate the employment contract of Mr. Stephen Keshi with the Federation with immediate effect.

“It added that the termination was “without prejudice to the settlement of any existing and due financial obligations between the NFF and Mr. Keshi.

“In the interim, the Super Eagles’ team affairs will be jointly managed by assistant Coach, Salisu

Yusuf, and the Technical Directorate of the NFF headed by Coach Shuaibu Amodu, until the

Federation names in due course a new head coach, who, along with the NFF will chart a new

direction for the Super Eagles to ensure credible participation in international competitions and

assist in building a sustainable football culture for the country.”

Keshi recently invited controversy when he featured a non-league player in the last AFCON qualifier 2-0 win against Chad in Kaduna. His name also appeared in the FIFA website as one of the coaches applying for the job of the Ivorian national team.

•Photo shows Keshi.

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