Football Body ready to work with the Presidential Task Force, as Big Boss is asked to reduce World Cup list

Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) Tuesday declared its readiness to work with the Presidency if it sets up a task force for the Super Eagles’ participation at the Brazil 2014 FIFA World Cup.


Meanwhile, the football body may have turned down Coach Stephen Keshi's 38-man provisional list for the  World Cup, saying they would give him more time to do more consultation on the squad.


At a Technical Committee meeting held on Tuesday and attended by the coach  as well as Aminu Maigari, and the Federation's Media committee Chairman, Emeka Inyama, the  Eagles’ gaffer reportedly submitted a list of 38 players to the Committee, which he said,  would be reduced to 30 before final submission to FIFA next month.

 Speaking after the meeting, Keshi said the invited players will report to camp on May 27.

"The meeting went well, no problem. Everything is well. I have about 38 players now, from there I will take about 30 because that is what FIFA needs on May 10 and I can't do more than that," Keshi noted.

  NFF President, Aminu Maigari, told journalists in Abuja that although he was not aware of any move to set up such a committee, the Federation would see it as a Presidential blessing, stressing that everybody’s input was required to ensure that Nigeria performs well at the World Cup.

 Maigari, who disclosed that the federation has received President Jonathan’s approval for the World Cup budget, noted that the federation has urged the Super Eagles’ chief coach to ensure that players were called up for the World Cup on merit.

  “For our preparation, are very much on track and we have received the president's approval for the World Cup funding.

  “We are not under any form of pressure and it us our belief that the Eagles will do well at the World Cup and we need everybody’s input to actualize it,” he said.

  Maigari acknowledged that the selection of the players “is the prerogative of the coach and I believe he is up and doing and ready. I do not want to overblow the situation. The 35 or 40-man list I believe will be ready today (Tuesday).

  “The NFF will never in any way say Keshi you must bring this player or that. We have given him the mandate, trust and confidence and we believe in him. Part of the meeting we had was on the need for a reasonable outing in Brazil.

  “We want to set a record and we are advising the coaching crew to ensure that the best players that we need in Brazil are taken to the World Cup. We advise that he should please make sure that we present the best and that is everything that Nigerians would want,” Maigari noted.