Embattled Super Eagles’ caretaker coach, Stephen Keshi, has alleged that some individuals are sabotaging his efforts to qualify the country for the AFCON 2015 Nations Cup in Morocco.
Keshi and his team are last on the log with a single point and they are on the brim of elimination from defending the tournament they won in South Africa in 2013.
Nigeria hosts Sudan, who are now third in the standings with three points, in a return fixture on Wednesday in the capital, Abuja.
Next month, they travel to second-placed Congo, who defeated them 3-2 in September, before the arrival of group leaders, South Africa.
Keshi claimed on Monday: “There is a sabotage by some people.
“I won’t mention their names, but they know themselves.
“They want to run this team down.
“Some people are ready to sell this country for a dime.
“They want to sabotage the Super Eagles.
“It’s a shame.
“They don’t want this team to get to the Afcon (Nations Cup).
“They want this team to lose outright.
“But they are not God.
“And this is not Keshi’s team.
“Keshi is a professional coach and after this (assignment), he will get another job elsewhere.”
Nigerian fans awaiting the team’s return from Sudan at Abuja airport on Sundayroundly booed the players and question marks about Keshi’s future dominated the country’s media on Monday.
The 52-year-old does not have a contract with the Nigeria Football Federation after his initial three-year deal ran out following the World Cup finals in Brazil.
He led Nigeria to win a third Nations Cup last year and guided the Eagles to reach the World Cup knockout stage.
But Keshi has lost the support of many players after much-publicised rows with the likes of Emmanuel Emenike, Peter Odemwingie and Ikechukwu Uche.
His record of five defeats, five draws and just one victory in the last 11 matches has only compounded dissatisfaction.
“The boys did not play for their coach (against Sudan) and he (Keshi) should now know what to do,” said Larry Izamoje, owner of Nigeria’s all-sports radio Brila FM.
Most fans have equally demanded for the dismissal of the coach.