Keshi rejects Garba Lawal as Super Eagles coordinator

The Nigeria Football Federation has to find a way of settling the feud between Super Eagles Coach, Stephen Keshi, and Team Coordinator, Garba Lawal, as indications emerged that Keshi wants Lawal replaced immediately.
The former Super Eagles midfielder, Lawal, was appointed as Team Co-ordinator by the Amaju Pinnick-led board of the NFF to replace Emmanuel Attah, shortly after Keshi and his crew were shoved aside.
But “an order from above” has since restored Keshi to his duty post as Super Eagles coach in preparation for the make or break AFCON qualifiers against Congo and South Africa.
A source in the team’s camp in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State hinted that Keshi was not ready to work with Garba Lawal as the team coordinator.
However, the NFF President, Amaju Pinnick, said he was not aware of any cold war between Keshi and Lawal in Eagles’ camp.
Keshi’s grouse, according to the source, was that Lawal devoted all of his time criticizing his handling of the national team.
The source said: “Keshi is not the type to hold a grudge but I can tell you he wants Garba Lawal out.
“He is not asking for Emmanuel Attah (former team co-ordinator) to be re-appointed, but just anybody, not Garba Lawal, who devoted all of his time working against Keshi.”
The source accepted that Lawal is entitled to his opinion, but went too far with his recent statement discrediting Keshi the head of the team he is expected to coordinate.
“It’s accepted he has a right to his opinion but his latest statement on a team he is to coordinate proves he is going to be an unwanted influence,” added the source.
“The team coordinator’s job is for someone who believes in the team not one of a divisive opinion.”
Lawal was credited as saying he doesn’t care about Keshi returning as coach and said he has no regret leading calls for his sack earlier.
Pinnick said: “I don’t know where such report is coming from.
“I am not aware of any problem between Keshi and Lawal.”