Amodu Shaibu will take charge of the Super
Eagles, who face a fight to reach the Africa Cup
of Nations, despite a win over Sudan on
Wednesday
Stephen Keshi has been sacked as coach of the
Nigeria, the Nigeria Football Federation announced on
Thursday.
Amodu Shaibu, who has enjoyed four spells in charge of
the Super Eagles, will lead a consortium of local coaches
as the new head of the national team to replace Keshi
and his assistants Daniel Amokachi and Ike Shorunmu.
Shaibu will handle the team’s remaining Africa Cup of
Nations qualification matches until a replacement is found.
Keshi’s job had come under intense scrutiny since the
start of the qualifiers in September following the 3-2
defeat to Congo at home before picking one point in a
draw against South Africa in Cape Town.
A further defeat in Khartoum to Sudan made his tenure
look like coming to an inglorious end after a fairy tale
year in which he led the Super Eagles to victory at the
2013 Afcon in South Africa.
The title defence in Morocco next year was looking blea
until Wednesday’s 3-1 victory over Sudan in Abuja
restored a glimmer of hope, but it was not enough to
save his job.
Keshi had also become embroiled in fights over players,
with Villareal striker Ikechukwu Uche being accused of
wanting to be begged to play for the country. However,
the player denied the allegations.
However, the new NFF board was not convinced and has
now relieved him of the job, urging him and his assistants
to proceed on any training programme of their choice
that would be funded by the federation as a form of
gratitude to the "national heroes".
Their exit means that former national team coach, Shaibu,
who has been a part of the NFF in a technical role, will
now return to the position for the next two matches
against Congo and South Africa.
Shaibu will be supported by Salisu Yusuf, Gbenga
Ogunbote and former goalkeeper Aloysius Agu until a
foreign coach is recruited to handle the side.
The team also has a new co-ordinator in former
international Garba Lawal, while Toyin Ibitoye is the new
media officer and Godfirst Chike takes over as equipmen
manager.
The statement also announced the hiring of Samson Siasi
as the U23 trainer. He returns to the side he led to an
Olympic silver medal at the games in Beijing in 2008 and
will be assisted by Fatai Amoo.
Keshi, 52, led Nigeria to their third African title last year,
and became only the second person to win the trophy as
a player and coach. He also took the team to the Round
of 16 at the World Cup in Brazil as they equalled their
best ever run.
He will be remembered for bringing into limelight several
unknown players from the local league who have become
heroes of the Nigerian game. However, he was also
accused of favouritism by taking largely untested players
to the World Cup and ignoring more experienced
campaigners.
Eagles, who face a fight to reach the Africa Cup
of Nations, despite a win over Sudan on
Wednesday
Stephen Keshi has been sacked as coach of the
Nigeria, the Nigeria Football Federation announced on
Thursday.
Amodu Shaibu, who has enjoyed four spells in charge of
the Super Eagles, will lead a consortium of local coaches
as the new head of the national team to replace Keshi
and his assistants Daniel Amokachi and Ike Shorunmu.
Shaibu will handle the team’s remaining Africa Cup of
Nations qualification matches until a replacement is found.
Keshi’s job had come under intense scrutiny since the
start of the qualifiers in September following the 3-2
defeat to Congo at home before picking one point in a
draw against South Africa in Cape Town.
A further defeat in Khartoum to Sudan made his tenure
look like coming to an inglorious end after a fairy tale
year in which he led the Super Eagles to victory at the
2013 Afcon in South Africa.
The title defence in Morocco next year was looking blea
until Wednesday’s 3-1 victory over Sudan in Abuja
restored a glimmer of hope, but it was not enough to
save his job.
Keshi had also become embroiled in fights over players,
with Villareal striker Ikechukwu Uche being accused of
wanting to be begged to play for the country. However,
the player denied the allegations.
However, the new NFF board was not convinced and has
now relieved him of the job, urging him and his assistants
to proceed on any training programme of their choice
that would be funded by the federation as a form of
gratitude to the "national heroes".
Their exit means that former national team coach, Shaibu,
who has been a part of the NFF in a technical role, will
now return to the position for the next two matches
against Congo and South Africa.
Shaibu will be supported by Salisu Yusuf, Gbenga
Ogunbote and former goalkeeper Aloysius Agu until a
foreign coach is recruited to handle the side.
The team also has a new co-ordinator in former
international Garba Lawal, while Toyin Ibitoye is the new
media officer and Godfirst Chike takes over as equipmen
manager.
The statement also announced the hiring of Samson Siasi
as the U23 trainer. He returns to the side he led to an
Olympic silver medal at the games in Beijing in 2008 and
will be assisted by Fatai Amoo.
Keshi, 52, led Nigeria to their third African title last year,
and became only the second person to win the trophy as
a player and coach. He also took the team to the Round
of 16 at the World Cup in Brazil as they equalled their
best ever run.
He will be remembered for bringing into limelight several
unknown players from the local league who have become
heroes of the Nigerian game. However, he was also
accused of favouritism by taking largely untested players
to the World Cup and ignoring more experienced
campaigners.
Source goal.com
No comments:
Post a Comment