The NFF President has confirmed LoggTV’s report that a deal with Stephen Keshi has been agreed
After the contract dispute that dragged on for several months, Stephen Keshi has reportedly accepted the new deal handed by him.
We similarly reported that an inside source in the Glass House revealed that the NFF will make an announcement soon after they agreed on a contract at the last meeting.
Now the NFF President, Amadu Pinnick has confirmed our report, telling the Guardian Newspaper that Keshi had accepted the contract, adding that the coach would resume duty next week.
Pinnick said Keshi would meet with members of the sporting media, first in Abuja as he resume office next week, before having a round table talk with those in Lagos.
“Yes, Keshi has accepted the NFF contract and he will resume duty next week,” Pinnick told The Guardian.
Pinnick also refuted claims that he was forced to hand Keshi a contract by the presidency.
“Sincerely speaking, President Goodluck Jonathan does not have a hand in it. He never gave us any directive concerning Keshi’s return. The NFF Technical Committee felt we should give him another chance.
“Coincidentally, that was the time Mr. President called me and Chris Giwa to the villa over the NFF crisis. That was how people started spreading rumour that Jonathan had directed the NFF to bring back Keshi. It was not so.
“It took us three months to prepare the new contract for Keshi and I am happy the waiting game is over. Keshi needs the support of all Nigerians, the sporting media in particular, and I am sure things will be different this time,” Pinnick said.
Keshi’s first assignment would be the Super Eagles’ friendly ties against the Cranes of Uganda next week at Uyo and the Bafana Bafana of South Africa in Nelspruit on March 29.