Keshi To Discuss NFF Contract After 2 Games In September

Coach Stephen Keshi is ready to sign a new contract with the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) as soon as the crisis currently rocking the country’s football comes to an end, according to Sports Minister and Chairman of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Dr. Tamuno Danagogo.

Speaking with journalists in Abuja Thursday, Danagogo said that the immediate past executive committee under the former president, Alhaji Aminu Maigari, was not really interested in engaging Keshi until when the former acting president, Chief Mike Umeh, opened talks with the coach.

"We all know that Keshi’s contract expired after the World Cup and we were trying to see whether they will negotiate with him, then Maigari was suspended. Umeh came in and reopened talks with him.

"The Minister said when Maigari came back the talks stalled because they said Keshi’s asking price was too much. They said they cannot pay. But we have a match on September 6 so I had to intervene," he said.

He said he personally called Keshi and offered him to coach the team for the two matches they have in September after which they can talk about the contract.

The Minister said the difference between what the NFF was offering and Keshi’s demand was not much. "It is just about N1 million Naira and we believe that it is no longer a challenge."

However, the Minister said that what is left is for the NFF and Keshi to agree on are other issues like his assistants, backroom staff, accommodation and an official car.