We’ll work with Keshi, says NFF boss

 

                 President of Nigeria Football Federation, Amaju Pinnick, has maintained they will work with Stephen Keshi and that no one is forcing the coach on the federation.

                      Pinnick’s clarification follows media reports that the NFF are stalling on a new deal for Keshi until a new Federal Government led by President-elect Muhammadu Buhari has come into office on May 29 after Friday’s public presentation did not happen and there was no official explanation to that effect.

                  “I am shocked at these insinuations because the NFF

executive committee gave the go-ahead for a new contract with Keshi at its meeting in Uyo last month, and Keshi and his lawyers have looked at the contract agreement and are satisfied with every word in the final draft,” said Pinnick.

“As a federation,we have gone ahead to arrange some refresher programmes for Keshi, at nobody’s prodding,and which are meant to enhance Keshi’s knowledge and improve the man’s capacity as a world-class strategist. We would not be doing that if we are not ready to work with him.

“No one is forcing Keshi on us. We have sat down with him and he has agreed to all terms that we put down and he is ready to work to lift the Super Eagles back to glorious days.”

Pinnick,who is on a private visit to London, said on Sunday that Keshi’s new contract will definitely be signed early this week.

“There were a few ends to tighten and Keshi understands perfectly and is comfortable with the arrangements to have the contract sealed early this week. We are not dribbling him. He won the Africa Cup of Nations with the team and led Nigeria to the Round of 16 at the World Cup in his first term. It is the belief of the NFF that Keshi can still perform at the highest level.”