17th October, 2014
Taiwo Adelu
Newly appointed coaches of the Super Eagles have assured that for the sake of rescuing Nigeria in this difficult period they have accepted the responsibility of leading the senior national team to their next two matches of the ongoing 2015 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying series.
The Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, decided to part ways with the erstwhile coach of the Eagles, Stephen Keshi after his team defeated Sudan 3-1 at the Abuja National Stadium on Wednesday and appointed NFF Technical Director, Shuaib Amodu.
The 56-year-old will be assisted by El Kanemi Warriors coach Salisu Yusuf, who worked under Samson Siasia both with the Flying Eagles and Super Eagles, and Gbenga Ogunbote of Sharks.
Yusuf said the coaches are optimistic of Nigeria scaling the hurdles of the qualifiers to defend the Nations Cup the Eagles won in South Africa, adding that all hands are on deck to ensure that the lost glory of the team is restored.
“We’ll not disappoint the nation. We know what is at stake and we’ll ensure that the team win the two crucial matches ahead of us. We are optimistic that this great country will play at the Nations Cup by the grace of God,” Yusuf said.
The new chief coach, Amodu who said he reluctantly accepted to take up the job despite the fact that he was shown the way out of the job on three previous occasions, said for the love of the country he is ready to take full responsibility of leading the Eagles out of the woods in the qualifying series.
Meanwhile, 1st Vice President of the NFF, Mr. Seyi Akinwunmi, has said that members of the Executive Board of the football body found it very painful to arrive at the decision to relieve Keshi of his job, adding that they had to reconsider a lot of options before arriving at the fact that Keshi has to go.
“It is painful sacking Keshi, but we took this decision in the overall interest of the country after we patiently considered the options we have,” said the Chairman of Lagos State Football Association, LSFA.