The Executive Committee of the Nigeria Football Federation have given their endorsement for Super Eagles coach Stephen Keshi to continue as the coach of the Nigerian national team.
The 13-member NFF Committee also impeached President of the Federation, Aminu Maigari after its meeting on Thursday at the NFF Secretariat in Abuja.
The meeting was aimed at reviewing the state of affairs in Nigerian football after the vacation of Court Injunction as well as the resultant lifting of suspension by FIFA, and took some resolutions on Nigerian football.
But the highlight of the meeting by the NFF Executive Committee was first the impeachment of its President, Aminu Maigari and subsequently the resolution reached to let Keshi continue as coach of the Super Eagles less than 48 hours to his likely announcement as the South African national team coach.
The Executive Committee of the Federation explained in a Communique that it voted against Maigari on grounds of financial misappropriation, misapplication and maladministration.
But the NFF Exco first paid tribute to President Goodluck Jonathan for his massive support to Nigerian football.
The six-point agenda raised at the meeting and released in the Communique made available to the sports press are as follows:
1.The Committee expressed deep and very sincere appreciation to President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, GCFR as a person, and the Federal Government as a body, for massive and continued support to the Nigeria Football Federation and the National Teams.
2.After thorough and exhaustive deliberations on the uncalled-for secrecy surrounding all financial dealings of the Federation and failure to call meeting of the Executive Committee for the past eight (8) months, during which so many weighty decisions on Nigeria football had been taken by a small cabal within the Board, the Executive Committee passed a vote of no confidence on the NFF President, Alhaji Aminu Maigari.
3. In view of the above, the Committee approved the immediate dismissal of Alhaji Aminu Maigari, from the NFF Executive Committee on grounds of financial misappropriation, misapplication and maladministration.
4.The Committee resolved to mandate the 1st Vice President, Chief Mike Okeke Umeh as Acting President, to preside over the affairs of the Federation, pending the composition of the new NFF Executive Committee after the elections of Tuesday, 26th August, 2014.
5. The Executive Committee commended world football –governing body, FIFA and the Confederation of African Football, CAF, for its keen interest in the development of Nigerian football and pledged that the country will continue to abide by the dictates of FIFA and CAF Statutes and the FIFA –approved NFF Statutes.
6) Executive Committee thanked Nigerians from far and near for their patience and understanding during the crisis period and reiterated that concerted efforts are geared towards the development of football in Nigeria.
The meeting continued after the ‘no vote’ session against the embattled Maigari with the fate of Keshi seemingly settled although Nigerians would have to wait until Saturday to find out whether the former Mali and Togo coach will take up the South African job.
The meeting continued and resolved as follows:
1) An Emergency Congress of the Nigeria Football Federation will be convened in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja on Thursday, 31st July, 2014 to ratify the impeachment of Alhaji Aminu Maigari from the NFF Executive Committee.
2) Henceforth, all financial issues with players and officials must be thoroughly deliberated upon and agreed ahead of major matches and competitions, to avoid the kind of embarrassment brought upon the nation at the 2014
FIFA World Cup finals in Brazil, when players boycotted training sessions before the Round of 16 match with France.
3)The Executive Committee mandated the Technical Sub-Committee to open channels of communication with Mr. Stephen Keshi with a view to extending his contract, as the NFF is still interested in working with him. The Technical Sub-Committee is to report back to the Executive Committee within one week.
4)The Committee expressed satisfaction with all arrangements so far made for the different National Teams, namely Falconets, Flying Eagles and Golden Eaglets ahead of important international matches and qualifying games, and also directed the Technical Sub-Committee to meet in a few days to harmonize all arrangements in this regard.
5)Committee mandated the NFF Management to proceed with discussions with a number of African countries with a view to the Super Eagles playing a friendly match on the FIFA window of Wednesday, 13th August, 2014, as part of preparations for the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying matches.
6)Executive Committee approved arrangements being made to host the grand finale of the 2014 Men and Women Federation Cup competitions in Lagos on Saturday, 16th August, 2014.
7)The Committee reaffirmed that the 2014 Elective Congress/General Assembly of the Nigeria Football Federation will still hold as scheduled on Tuesday, 26th August, 2014.
The Committee resolved that NFF Vice President Mike Okeke Umeh will preside over the affairs of the Federation, pending the composition of the new NFF Executive Committee after the elections of August 26, 2014, the statement from the NFF read.
It is not the first time that the NFF President is being voted out by the Federation’s Executive Committee, as Sani Lulu suffered the same fate in 2010 after the World Cup finals in South Africa
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COMMENTS
kish should be goiven well detailed assisgement in th coashing of Nigeria Team, whatever be the terms of the Contracts should be obeyed by both parties n must be guided in takenking critical descssion as affect the total progress and quality productifity of our football. His salary n his must be paid as when due. Further NTDC DG should be arrested for show of dsgress for Fan Village in Barzil the balance left there must be paid by her monthly salary.