By Onochie Anibeze
The Technical Committee of the Nigeria Football Federation rose from their meeting Thursday and ruled that a term in the contract of Samson Siasia should be respected.

The clause they referred to says that Siasia must take Nigeria to, at least, the semifinals of the 2012 Nations Cup. But since same coach could not qualify Nigeria to the said Nations Cup the implication of Technical Committee’s report to the Executive Committee is disengagement of the coach.

Siasia is now appealing to the Executive Committee to consider the fact that he was midway into restructuring the team when the disaster of not qualifying for the 2012 Nations Cup struck. A 2-2 draw in Abuja last Saturday ended the road for Nigeria.

“I have told them that if they felt that I had made some changes and heading somewhere they should give me a chance to attain the level that I’m headed but if they felt I had done nothing since I started they should feel free to take any decision they deem good for Nigeria,” Siasia said at the weekend.

The ball is now in the court of the Executive Committee. And we gathered last night that the name of Stephen Keshi came up among some members of the Executive Committee who suggested that the former Eagles captain could come in as a caretaker coach who may be confirmed with time.

“There are two to three members of the Executive Committee who think that Keshi should come in now and replace Siasia,” one member said while another, in a separate chat, said that Siasia could still be retained but Keshi or a foreign technical adviser may be appointed to boss him.

Executive Committee members are discussing among themselves on the best way forward for Nigerian football and would soon make their decision public.

The Alhaji Aminu Maigari board has earned kudos for supporting coaches and approving early and adequate preparations for all national assignments.