NFF to hire coach Stephen Keshi on match-by-match basis

There is yet to be an agreement between the Nigeria Football Federation and out of contract Super Eagles coach, Stephen Okechukwu Keshi due to the crisis that has been rocking the federation. Reports from Vanguard claim Keshi’s contract talks will be finalised by the yet to be elected Executive Committee of the Nigeria Football Federation.

According to a source who spoke with the newspaper, so long as the NFF exco remains to be elected, Keshi’s services will be needed on a match-by-match basis. “For now, that is the much management can do.” The source further disclosed that because there was no EXCO on ground, the management could not take any further step than to hire him on match by match basis.. “Management cannot go ahead and employ the coach because it is not known whether the new board would want him or not,” our source said.

As things stand, Keshi’s future with the Super Eagles remains uncertain as the FA seeks to regain its stability with the September 30 elections of a new board in Warri. The Aminu Maigari-led board was ready to dispense with Keshi after the 2014 World Cup in Brazil but the crisis that followed after the World Cup resulted in creating a vacuum for the post of a head coach for the team. This in turn necessitated the Sports Minister’s intervention when he called in Keshi to lead the team to the first phase of the 2015 Afcon qualifiers which the Eagles have garnered a solitary point from a possible six after a 2-3 loss to Congo and a goalless draw against South Africa. The outcome of the two matches have done great disservice to Keshi’s bid to return. As it appears, the coach will continue to handle the team on a match-by-match basis until the coming board formalises his contract or dispenses with him.