NFF: We won't stop Keshi from leaving

The Nigeria football federation (NFF) will not stop Coach Stephen Keshi from vacating his post as Super Eagles coach, after the ‘Big Boss’, as Keshi is fondly called expressed his desire to step down following Nigeria’s ouster from the World Cup.

Vice president of the NFF, Mike Umeh spoke to Nigerian sports radio, Brila FM about Keshi’s impending departure and confirmed that they will not be standing in Keshi’s way as he has decided to quit.

“We cannot stop Keshi from moving if he wants to, he’s a grown man and knows what’s good for him. If he so desires a greener pasture, then we can’t stop him, it’s up to him to decide,” he told Brila fm.

He however denied claims that the NFF have not been supportive of the former Togo coach, saying, “It’ll not be fair to say we haven’t supported Keshi. We have given him tremendous support, more than anyone could imagine. So the thought that he hasn’t been adequately supported isn’t true.”

Umeh also spoke on the possibility of getting a new coach in time for the 2015 African cup of nations qualifiers which starts in earnest.

“I’m sure a new coach will come in immediately Keshi’s departure is finalized, so that shouldn’t be a problem,” Umeh noted.

It is however surprising, that the NFF are so willing to allow Stephen Keshi leave, with the former Nigeria captain still having a year left on his four year contract signed in 2011. Keshi took over from former teammate, Samson Siasia in November of 2011 and signed a four year deal which is supposed to lapse in 2015.

Immediately after the loss to France, another NFF top gun, Deji Tinubu tweeted, ‘and off his goes to S.A’, which obviously confirms Keshi’s exit.