I don’t know why Oliseh was sidelined — Lawal

Former Super Eagles midfielder Garba Lawal said he didn’t know why former teammate Sunday Oliseh was dropped in the race to find a replacement for Manager Stephen Keshi whose contract negotiation with the Nigeria Football Federation seems to drag on.

The NFF admitted last week that contract negotiations with Stephen Keshi may drag on into September, when the Super Eagles are set to begin their qualifiers for the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) against Rwanda.

The Technical Committee member, speaking to Fever Pitch yesterday, admitted not knowing why interest in the FIFA technical study committee member was shoved aside despite its merits. “The truth is I can’t tell you why he was dropped but one thing is for sure, I can’t remember being in the meeting where it was decided to drop his name from the list of possible candidates,” the former Roda JC player said.

It is believed that some NFF officials were impressed with Oliseh’s knowledge of the game when he was interviewed for the post four years ago. The former Ajax player also has some experience of coaching in Belgium with Eupen and Verviétois and is currently a member of FIFA’s Technical Study Group and an international football pundit.

Some within the football circles are angered that Keshi continues to hold the country to ransom over the negotiations. Part of his demands, it is believed, are that a 100% increment on his N5million monthly salary which should see him earn N10million monthly, that one of his trusted comrades, Sylvanus Okpala be returned as one of his assistants, and the salary of Valere Houandonou be paid for by the NFF. The gaffer said he had been paying the Togolese out of his own pocket.

Keshi also demanded for a freer hand to lead the Super Eagles without undue interference of the technical committee and also for travel tickets to and fro when he’s on leave or holiday to see his family in the USA.