NFF May Fire Me, I’m Not Worried – Stephen Keshi

 

Stephen Keshi insists he is not worried that he could be sacked before the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.

In a recent interview to BBC Sport Coach Keshi was philosophical about the nature of football.

“This job is all about hiring and firing. When I was sacked in 2002 it came as a terrible shock but that is life, we all moved on because you can’t keep living in anger and disappointment.

“We are talking about Nigeria here, so you never know what may happen.

“But what is important right now is that we are only focusing on what lies ahead which is preparing my players and nothing else.

“You can’t distract yourself with what might happen or could happen. We’ve achieved beyond some people’s expectations but the rebuilding exercise continues.

“I don’t live in fear [of getting the sack]. To be honest, it is just a waste of energy, it is energy-sapping,” the 51-year-old ex- Capitan of the Super Eagles said.

A stormy period in the relationship between Keshi and the Nigeria Football Federation began in January 2013, days after the Super Eagles to the Africa Cup of Nations glory in South Africa. Nigeria claimed their

first Nations Cup title since 1994.

As concerned unpaid salary, Keshi feels the situation is disrespectful, unacceptable and has publicly criticised the NFF for failing to pay him his salary arrears. However, the coach has decided to focus on the task ahead.

“We have the CHAN tournament in South Africa to prepare for as well as focus on improving the team in friendlies.

“You have to keep looking forward. We are building a team that Nigerians will be proud of and there is still room for improvement,” the Eagles’ coach stated.

Meanwhile, Keshi says he is stunned to hear top officials proposing to employ a foreign coach to assist him during the World Cup.

“I don’t need any foreign technical assistance to guide the Super Eagles to perform well at the World Cup so if one is suggested I will politely reject the offer because I already have capable assistants working with me,” Keshi said.

“Let them (those clamouring for it include the NFF) provide us an enabling atmosphere and requirement and we shall get the job done in Brazil. We are not saying we shall win the World Cup but we shall make an impact.”

It would be recalled that in 2002 Keshi was assistant to Shuaibu Amodu when Nigeria qualified for the World Cup, but the pair were sacked and replaced by Adegboye Onigbinde before the showpiece in South Korea and Japan.

Four years later Keshi experienced a similar fate when he was sacked by Togo ahead of the 2006 World Cup in Germany despite having guided them to the finals for the first – and to date only – time in their history.

We are anxiously waiting the development before Brazil 2014 FIFA World Cup…