Nigeria have parted ways with manager Stephen Keshi following a run of poor results in the Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.
SuperSport’s Andrew Randa revealed on Thursday that Keshi had been axed from the Super Eagles’ helm, with former team coach Shuaibu Amodu taking his place and Gbenga Ogunbote as his assistant.Nigeria are currently third in qualification Group A and have just two matches to save their 2015 Africa Cup of Nations hopes, where they will face Congo and South Africa, the two outfits currently above them in the standings.
The executive committee of the Nigerian Football Federation released a statement on Thursday regarding Keshi’s sacking, which reads: “In the interest of Nigeria football and the desire to ensure qualification for the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations finals, the Committee decided to relieve them of their duties with immediate effect.”
Keshi’s dismissal may come as something of a surprise given the timing, but the manager has been under pressure for several weeks.
Earlier in October, Goal.com’s Victor Abimbola reported that back-to-back fixtures against Sudan would decide his fate. Nigeria lost the away fixture 1-0, and despite winning the return match 3-1 on Wednesday evening, Keshi was given his marching orders.
SuperSport’s Colin Udoh and broadcaster Paul Sarahs each feel the decision was premature, however, voicing the opinion that he deserved more of a chance to prove his mettle:
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(Nana Kwesi)