Maigari rules out foreign coach, urges Keshi to concentrate on job

BY ONOCHIE ANIBEZE

President of the Nigeria Football Federation, Alhaji Aminu Maigari wants Coach Stephen Keshi and his technical crew to ignore side talks and concentrate on the job of guiding the Eagles to a successful African Cup of Nations outing in South Africa next month.

There were talks on a possible engagement of foreign hands to assist Keshi. The foreign assistants, some said, may eventually take over the team. The idea of a foreign coach, we also gathered, was being mooted outside the football federation but by people who command authority.

Eagle’s coach, Keshi

There was also another talk but this time by a board member of the federation. The member told the media that one or two members of Keshi’s technical crew may be disengaged for not contributing much to the team. This, according to observers, could likely pave way for a foreign assistant as soon as possible.

The Eagles technical crew had admonished this and they said that such talks were not helping their concentration.

Maigari said yesterday that “Keshi and his crew should ignore such talks and concentrate on their coaching job, and target a good outing at the Nations Cup.”

Maigari said the federation was solidly behind Keshi’s crew which he scored above average. “So far, we all know that Keshi and his crew have done well. We owe them unflinching support. My advice is that they should ignore anything that could distract them.Let results speak for them. I always prefer that results speak for me and that is what I am passing on to them.

“We have a job to do and we should all concentrate on the job. So far they have done well and there is no reason for a foreign coach now. Let them be focused and go to South Africa and do well. We are behind them.”