Minister of Sports Tammy Danagogo, has revealed his shock over Stephen Keshi’s sack and made it clear he would vet the new foreign coach the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), are planning to employ.
Keshi was sacked in the early hours of Thursday, despite leading the Super Eagles to a 3-1 win over Sudan in an AFCON 2015 qualifier played in Abuja.
Danagogo said he was just as shocked as every other fan.
“I woke up this morning to [news of Keshi’s sack],” Danagogo told media in Abuja.
“I expected them to have sacked him when the team lost in Sudan from the way they were reacting then. I wasn’t expecting that he will be sacked after the team’s [3-1] victory on Wednesday.
“I wouldn’t have been shocked if it had been done then because when they [NFF] came back they told me that actually and I was trying to ask them the reason and advised them to be very objective on what they want to do.
“It is their responsibility to hire and fire coaches and when they told me that they didn’t want to continue with Keshi again after coming from Sudan, I told them that they will be held responsible for whatever decision they take.
”That was why I allowed them who are supposed to be professionals to do their thing and ready to account to Nigerians whatever result comes out.
“A lot of Nigerians appreciate what Keshi has done for the country but the ultimate decision of having to be in the saddle rests with the NFF. So, if they insist that the only way they can achieve results is by having Keshi step aside, so be it. But I hope that they succeed in bringing in new people that will change the dwindling fortune of our football.
“I don’t believe in hiding issues from the public and I am surprised that they took that decision. I am aware there were continuous calls to sack Keshi. I am also aware that it is the responsibility of the NFF to hire and fire coaches of the national teams. So, what they have done is their responsibility but I am still looking at it.”
According to reports, Shuaibu Amodu has only been appointed to take charge of the remaining two games in the qualifying series and then NFF officials will bring in a foreigner.
Danagogo has vowed to vet the credibility of the expatriate before he takes over.
“If they have come to a conclusion that they want a foreign coach and that is the only way they can achieve results, they will tell me the credentials of those foreign coaches,” Danagogo said.
“If I see that it is far and above what we have here and it will take a long time for those we have here to get there, we will see it.
“For instance, the Super Eagles for whatever reason have been going down. I have sat with the players, technical crew and the NFF asking what is wrong with the team and I cannot know why.
“I have told the NFF to be very careful on whatever action they are taking because I will not be the chief judge in any of this issue. NFF is a group of sportsmen and women and stakeholders who should know what they are doing.”
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