Why NFF Gave Keshi Eagles’ Job -Onigbinde

FIFA and CAF Instructor, Adegboye Onigbinde has given an insight into why the technical committee of Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, recommended Stephen Keshi as the successor of sacked coach Samson Siasia as Super Eagles' handler.

Onigbinde, who was a member of the technical committee of the NFF,  revealed that Keshi's wealth of experience influenced all members of the committee to give the recommendation which the board of the NFF acted on to give him the job.

The former Nigerian international and Hawks of Togo coach got the unanimous nod of the executive board led by Aminu Maigari to replace  Siasia, who failed to qualify Nigeria for the Africa Cup of Nations.

Onigbinde said that  Keshi's flawless resume and antecedent stand him out for the Eagles' job.

"His antecedent in playing and coaching gave him the job. He captained the senior national team for a long time, coached the Eagles as an assistant under Shuaib Amodu, who both qualified Nigeria to Mali 2002 Nations Cup, and equally went abroad to do some coaching.

"I think he got what it takes to man the position," Onigbinde told SuperSport.com.

Although the former Super Eagles' coach did not give full nod to the terms that expect Keshi to qualify Nigeria for the 2013 Africa Nations Cup, as well as the 2014 FIFA World Cup and take the team to the quarter final stage, he however believes that Keshi will not lack advice on how to succeed. 

"I don't think the mandate is too much, that is the practice everywhere in the world, although that is the making of the executive board.

"I don't subscribe to giving terms, I would rather want him to know that he has a job to do. It lessens undue pressure.

"I will only wish him good luck. The undoing of Siasia was his refusal to listen to advice.

"I hope Keshi would have learnt a lesson and avoid falling into the same pit.

"I made him captain in 1983, I will be available to advice him if he asked, I won't force advice on him."

On the decision of Siasia to drag his former employer to court for wrongful termination of contract, Onigbinde opined that it is a personal issue.

"If he believes he has a right nobody will stop him from going to court.

"I don't have a copy of his contract, I think that is an issue between him and his former employer and for the court to determine," he said.