Keshi would have been sacked

Amanze Uchegbulam

A top football stakeholder has disclosed that Nigeria's 2-1 win over Ivory Coast in the quarter-final of the Africa Cup of Nations saved Stephen Keshi from losing his job.

According to former vice-chairman of the Nigeria Football Federation, Amanze Uchegbulam, top football officials led by the Minister of Sports Alhaji Bolaji Abdullahi had already commenced plans to sack Stephen Keshi in anticipation of Nigeria losing to Ivory Coast.
"Many of those commending Stephen Keshi yesterday for Nigeria’s victory against Ivory Coast had concluded plans to sack him," Uchegbulam disclosed.
"At a time, they were even considering sacking Keshi in South Africa. Later, they wanted to sack two of Keshi’s assistant coaches."
The Imo State FA boss went ahead to extol the tactical nous of coach Stephen Keshi and praised the impressive performance of the seemingly inexperienced Super Eagles squad against the star-studded Ivorian team.
Uchegbulam further lamented the politicizing of sports in Nigeria wherein persons who are not stakeholders in the sports sector are appointed into the sports ministry. He advised that in the future consideration be given to the sporting background of persons who were to be appointed into the sports ministry.
"I wish the Presidency could have somebody who understands sports and who will help in advising them on the right way to run sports. Many of the people congratulating Keshi now including the minister wanted to sack him," Uchegbulam said.