President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Amaju Pinnick, has said that the federation has concluded plans to help the troubled Super Eagles coach, Stephen Keshi, become “a world-class football manager.
Keshi, is expected to sign a contract to continue as Super Eagles head coach this week.
The NFF’s General Secretary, Mohammed Sanusi, disclosed that the deal would have been signed last week but Pinnick says failure to meet the supposed deadline has no ulterior motives.
“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,” Pinnick said.
The NFF chief added that plans have reached advanced stage to give the Eagles Chief Coach the necessary support when he is eventually confirmed as head coach of the national team.
“As a federation, we have gone ahead to arrange some refresher programmes for Keshi which are meant to enhance his knowledge and improve his capacity as a world-class coach.
“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 Eagles back to reckoning.”
Pinnick also added that the new deal with Keshi will be signed this week.
“There were a few ends to tighten and Keshi himself 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,” he said.
