Keshi loses patience with NFF over endless contract haggling and wants to move on

Keshi loses patience with NFF over endless contract haggling and wants to move on
SUPER Eagles head coach Stephen Keshi has indicated that he may accept another job offer if it comes along after declaring that he has moved on after continued disagreements with the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) over a new contract.

Keshi's last contract ended on June 30 after the World Cup and negotiations on a new deal have been ongoing since but it appears both sides are unable to reach an agreement. Earlier this month, the NFF offered the coach a contract extension that will keep him in charge of the national team for the next four years but it now looks like they were unable to agree on the fine detail.

It is believed the contract was top last over a four year period, was worth N7m (£25,500) a month and will keep Keshi in the job up until the 2018 World Cup. However, as the final details have not been agreed, Keshi is losing patience with the NFF and appears to have now ruled himself out of returning to the job.

Keshi said: "Talks over a new contract shouldn’t drag on. I can’t wait any more as the NFF is not serious.

“I have moved on and I can only wish the country well for the future. I’ve had about seven countries approach me in the last two months but I kept them all away.”

Talks had been ongoing since July but a series of delays caused by problems within the federation, including the sacking of the NFF president Alhaji Aminu Maigari and Fifa's subsequent order that he be reinstated. Alhaji Maigari has returned to his job and Nigeria has two Nations Cup qualifiers next month but the stalemate continues.

Keshi added: “There’s a game in two weeks but no-one is thinking about it and at the same time they expect you to win. I understand the ongoing crisis facing the federation but the national team should not suffer from such at this crucial stage.

“Sadly, I also think attention is focused more on the upcoming NFF elections and the national team is simply not a priority. “I love my country and I am aware of the dream our fans had of me taking this team to the next level, so while acknowledging the efforts of some people involved in the negotiations, I think others probably have other important things to do.”

Already, Nigeria has named a 23-man squad for the upcoming qualifiers against Congo on September 6 and South Africa four days later. In addition to playing both teams, Nigeria will also face Sudan in Group A with the top two advancing to January’s finals in Morocco.