Why NFF is unhappy with Keshi – Inyama

The subtle battle between Super Eagles coach, Stephen Keshi and his employers, the Nigeria Football Federation may blow into a full scale war when the absentee coach returns from his trip to Carlifonia, USA.

On return, Keshi is bound to meet a charged atmosphere which has been incensed by his alleged absence from the April 10 technical committee meeting in which he was expected to discuss Eagles’ busy schedule in May, June and July.

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Stephen Keshi Looses Salary After Receiving Cars From Glo

Few days after he received the cars that were promised him by Mike Adenuga of Globacom, Super Eagles coach, Stephen Keshi will be loosing a significant amount of his salary due to a new structure being promoted by the leadership of the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF.

After a meeting of the Technical Committee of the NFF in Abuja, it was decided that all match bonuses as well as the salaries of the coaches, including Keshi should be cut down.

When Punch asked the General Secretary of the NFF, Mr. Musa Amadu, why they are reducing the pay of people who recently brought bride to Nigeria, he simply said it's due to the reality on ground.

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Why I will not recall Odemwingie anytime soon – Keshi

Stephen Keshi has indicated that Osaze Odemwingie’s attitude might keep him out of the national team for a long time. 

The West Brom forward, was excluded from the squad that went on to win the Africa Cup of Nations in South Africa and Keshi revealed that he has shown no remorse, as he refused to congratulate the players and officials. 

“There is no doubt that Osaze is a good player, but he hasn’t shown the right attitude that he is ready to play for the country again. Nigerians won’t believe that Osaze has not sent a word or text messages of congratulations to us after the Nations Cup. This shows the kind of a person he is,” Keshi said. 

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Osaze Odemwingie Could Return

Osaze Odemwingie has said he could still return to the Super Eagles if things are done properly. 

The West Bromwich Albion striker was sensationally left out of the 2013 AFCON party by coach Stephen Keshi, who has now said that was because of the player’s “character problems”. 

"I am not seeking a comeback (to the national team) as I have showed you last year I am not so interested now. If things get straight forward maybe one day," he tweeted

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Triumphant Super Eagles arrive home to heroes welcome(PHOTOS)

Nigeria’s Super Eagles arrived back home here on Tuesday, after winning the country’s first Africa Cup of Nations trophy in nearly two decades and were welcomed by adoring crowds ahead of meeting the president.

 Hundreds welcomed the team back at the airport in the capital of Abuja before an ceremony later in the afternoon at the National Stadium. 

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AFCON: Many countries woo Keshi for endorsement.

FOLLOWING Stephen Keshi’s insistence that he might not be Super Eagles coach after Sunday’s final of the African Cup of Nations, many countries have swooped on him asking for his signature to take over their national teams.

A highly authoritative source informed that some agents havebeen bordering the former skipper of the national team to talk him into considering their clients if indeed he refuses to goahead with his contract with theNigeria Football Federation.

Though the identities of the countries were not revealed, the source however said that Keshi has refused to commit himself as he reportedly told them he was still on contract with the NFF.

The rush for Keshi’s signature is not unconnected with his statement that he was not sure if he would remain Eagles coach after CAN 2013 since he is a professional coach and would go for the highest bidder.

He made this statement since according to him the Nigerian people seem not to appreciate what he is doing with the team.

But that had changed since his team woke up from their slumber and performed excellently against bookmaker’s choice, Cote d’Ivoire. Nigerians inSouth Africa have been singing Keshi’s praise and his Eagles to high heavens.

The Nigeria Football Federation which had supported Keshi financially and morally are yet to react to Keshi’s threat of jumping the ship.

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Nigerian Government To Induct Super Eagles Members Into "Hall Of Fame"

The Federal Government will make the present set of Super Eagles players the first inductees into the National Sports Hall of Fame.

Sports Minister and Chairman of the National Sports Commission, Mallam Bolaji Abdulahi, disclosed this on Thursday night while addressing players and officials of the team.  The Hall of Fame was recently approved by President Goodluck Jonathan.

The Minister, who spoke to the team at their Garden Court Hotel abode in Milpark, South Africa, also said that the government has mapped out a heroic welcome for the team next Monday.  He was accompanied to the event by the National Football Federation (NFF) President, Aminu Maigari and other important figures in Nigeria sports administration.

He described the pride of the government at the exploits of the team so far at the African Cup of Nations and urged them to complete the job by winning the trophy.

“Victory is not everything but victory is the only thing”, he declared, echoing American football coach Vince Lombardi as he challenged them to go all out for victory in the final against the Stallions of Burkina Faso in Soweto on Sunday.

Maigari, on his part, thanked the government at the highest levels for the huge support the team has been receiving so far, saying that all obligations to the team has been met, thanks to express approval by the government at all spheres.

The NFF President revealed that he has already received words from President Jonathan of another tele-conference with the team before the final, as the last one had highly motivated the players and the President feels they need his tonic to excel in Sunday’s grand finale.

Head Coach Stephen Keshi, spoke in a similar vein, noting that the team has come too far in the competition to let its guard down.

Skipper Joseph Yobo thanked the Minister for being there for his team, and assured that the team has resolved to unite and conquer the Nations Cup trophy for Nigeria.  

“We will not let Mr. President who has been so supportive down and we cannot let our families and the people of Nigeria down,” he said.  “We are certain that the trophy will be won fair and square on Sunday.”

speaking today, midfield star, John Mikel Obi, declared that the strength of the Nigerian team is the togetherness and unity that have been missing in the squad in the past.

“We are together, united and playing for each other and that has accounted for where we are today. All credit must go to the coach who took a gamble on a very young squad, because I’m just 25 years old but am looking like the oldest in the team. This team will not only win the trophy on Sunday for the Nigerian people but will win many more trophies for a long time to come”.

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B.R.E.A.K.I.N.G N.E.W.S: Victor Moses Will Miss The AfCON final

Nigeria and Chelsea FC skillful forward, Victor Moses, has been ruled out of the final match of the African Cup of nation, AFCON 2013. 

Moses picked up an injury in the first half of the semi final match against Mali, and had to be substituted after a great 45 minutes display. 

Prior to that match, however, Moses, who has two goals in the tournament, had been injured, missing Nigeria’s first game of the tournament, against Burkina Faso, due to an injury.

A top team official of the Super Eagles said that the forward had “always been injured since we are in Faro, Portugal camp; but we have been managing and treating it.” 

“He has a torn muscle in his right leg and I want to confirm to you tha the won’t be able to play at the finals of AFCON on Sunday, he will be missed,” the official said. 

“He (Moses) wants to do more and perform extraordinarily, the doctor told me that he won’t be able to make it! but let’s see how it goes,” he added. 

Moses and tournament joint highest goal scorer, Emmanuel Emenike, both missed Friday’s Super Eagles training due to their injuries. 

Russia based forward, Emenike, might still be in for the final though. 

“He’s showing prospect and has been assisted by the team doctor, I hope he picks up today (Saturday),” the official said. 

Emenike, who has four goals at AfCON 2013, sustained his injury towards the end of the semi final match. 

Keshi is expected to announce Moses and Emenike’s health conditions at a press conference later on Saturday. 

Nigeria will play Burkina Faso in the final match of the Nations Cup on Sunday.

Source 

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