Super Eagles sack Keshi and hire Amodu

LAGOS: The two-year contract of Nigeria coach Stephen Keshi has been terminated because “he lacks the required commitment” and Shuaibu Amodu will replace him with immediate effect, the Nigerian Football Federation ( NFF) announced.

“Having thoroughly reviewed the reports and findings of the NFF Disciplinary Committee and NFF Technical and Development Committee, as well as having reviewed the actions and inactions of Mr Stephen Keshi, in the performance of his duties as Super Eagles’ head coach, which we found to lack the required commitment to achieve the federation’s objectives as set out in the coach’s employment contract,” the NFF said in a statement.

The NFF added that they had “decided to exercise its option to summarily terminate the employment contract of Mr. Stephen Keshi with the federation with immediate effect”.

The NFF disciplinary committee headed by Chris Green has been investigating allegations that Keshi applied to coach Ivory Coast while under contract with Nigeria.

Last year, Amodu also replaced Keshi as Nigeria coach before the NFF were forced to rescind this decision.

Amodu, who was last week formally appointed the country’s technical director, will take over as Nigeria coach to be assisted by Salisu Yusuf in a temporary capacity.

The plan is for Nigeria to appoint a foreign coach on a permanent basis.

The 53-year-old Keshi only recently began his second stint as Nigeria coach after his first contract ran out after he led the Super Eagles to the knockout rounds of the World Cup in Brazil last year.