Goal has revealed that Nigeria’s squad list for the international friendlies against Uganda and South Africa was initially drafted by coach Stephen Keshi before being thrown out.
The out-of-contract Keshi was initially contacted by the Technical Committee to draft the list of players that would take on the Cranes in Uyo on Wednesday and Bafana Bafana in Nelspruit on Sunday, which he did only for it to be turned down on higher orders.
It was claimed that since Keshi had not yet signed a new contract with the NFF, it was important not to make the federation look like it was too dependent on his services.
In truth, it is Keshi who has been drawing up the list of invited players despite his contract having run out at the end of the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.
However, he was contracted by sports minister Tammy Danagogo to handle the team on a per-game basis as they failed to qualify for the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations in Equatorial Guinea.
Eventually, the list that was made public was drafted by the Felix Anyansi Agwu-led NFF Technical Committee.
It was the reason why prominent players that have always made Keshi’s list like Emmanuel Emenike, Ambrose Efe, Chigozie Agbim and Austin Ejide among many others did not make the list.
Stand-in coach Daniel Amokachi was also invited to coach the team for the two friendly matches since he has enjoyed a good relationship with the majority of the board members of the NFF, most especially the ones from the Northern enclave of the country.
He has enjoyed a cordial relationship with the establishment due to his ‘exemplary behaviour’ and for not being antagonistic in the ongoing Keshi contract saga.
While the coaching contract saga is expected to end in a few days, the issue will be ironed out finally on Wednesday at the board meeting of the NFF.
