The Nigeria Football Federation has carpeted former international player, Adokiye Amiesimaka, over his comments in a national newspaper on Wednesday to the effect that the Football House is working against Super Eagles’ Head Coach, Stephen Keshi.
The Chairman of the NFF’s Media and Publicity Committee, Chief Emeka Inyama, declared without mincing words that Amiesimaka’s statements were no
more than mere amplification of beer-parlour rumours and sheer concoctions, and therefore unfortunate.
Inyama said: “For the avoidance of doubt, the Nigeria Football Federation and Coach Stephen Keshi are working assiduously to see that Nigeria qualifies for
the 2014 FIFA World Cup finals, and we have no doubt that we are on course to get the ticket.
“A few days ago, Keshi himself issued a statement to say he is not resigning and that he is working together with the NFF to realize his targets and fulfill his mission.
“We have said it several times that we do not plan to hire an expatriate Coach. That is not in our plans for now. We are sticking by Keshi as we have done since November 2, 2011 when we signed a contract with him. We believe in Keshi and have given him all the necessary support and encouragement to succeed, and will continue to do so.”
The NFF Executive Committee member noted that the present administration is the first to stick to indigenous coaches for all the national teams, for which it has received praise several times at home and abroad.
Inyama said: “For someone like Amiesimaka to claim that the NFF is not happy that Keshi won the Africa Cup of Nations is odious. Very disappointing. The
NFF shares in the glory of the triumph as much as Keshi.”
Inyama dismissed Amiesimaka’s ranting about the NFF’s decision to audit staff of the national teams, especially backroom staff.
He added: “The former player should tell us how many backroom staff were in the Senior National Team when he was playing. It is beneath an Amiesimaka
to state that NFF is envious of coaches and backroom staff that it employed. That is unbelievably cheap.
“The NFF has decided to downsize in several areas in order to be able to meet our obligations of presenting the National Teams for international competitions. We do not owe any of the coaches or backroom staff any apology over this. There is no going back on this, no matter the amount of blackmail.
“How much were Coaches earning when Amiesimaka was playing? Today, Mr. Keshi is on N5 million a month salary. Apart from the huge pay for the coaches, we also need to service actual development of the game.”
Inyama made it clear that the NFF is resolved to ensuring better results at international level for all the national teams.
He said: “We are downsizing for a very good reason. Funds are not unlimited and we have to do what is sensible to be able to forge ahead, positively. Unlike the likes of Amiesimaka, the NFF believes in the Super Eagles and knows the team will do Nigeria proud at the FIFA Confederations Cup and also qualify for the 2014 FIFA World Cup.
“That is why we are sending the team to Germany to prepare for the big challenges of the summer, and have also arranged a quality friendly match with Concacaf champions Mexico.
“Let me also disclose that we are sending the Flying Eagles to camp in Germany and play in the Toulon Youth Tournament ahead of the FIFA U-20 World Cup in Turkey. All other National Teams will continue to receive benefit of good preparation for major tournaments, irrespective of malicious and mischievous claims by people like Adokiye.”
The NFF chieftain also declared that those moaning about the employment of a National Technical Director in the face of financial squeeze are only advertising their ignorance.
He said: “It has become very important to state, once again, that the money to pay the National Technical Director will come directly from FIFA. NFF would not be dipping into its lean resources to pay the NTD.”
NFF lashes at Adokiye Amiesimaka over Keshi
