Keshi’s pound of flesh

Indeed, there was so much confusion as nobody could say categorically the true position of things. However, for those who had followed the cat and mouse relationship that had ensued between the coach and authorities of the Nigeria Football federation, NFF, Keshi’s purported resignation right there in South Africa did not come to them as […]

Indeed, there was so much confusion as nobody could say categorically the true position of things. However, for those who had followed the cat and mouse relationship that had ensued between the coach and authorities of the Nigeria Football federation, NFF, Keshi’s purported resignation right there in South Africa did not come to them as a surprise.
The Eagles ended the tournament as champions but it is an open secret that the team’s first two group matches did not inspire any hope. After watching the Eagles drew against Burkina Faso and Zambia, most football fans felt agitated.
Consequently, it was reported that the minister of sports, Malam Bolaji Abubakar and the NFF decided at a meeting in South Africa that an expatriate coach must be hired to boss Keshi. The implication of such proposition was that the authorities lacked explicit confidence in their coach.
It is said even when the Super Eagles picked up form and overran pre-tournament favourites, the Elephants of Cote d’Ivoire and another heavy weight in African football, Mali to get to the finals of the tournament, there were still clandestine moves to hire a foreign coach to lead the Eagles.
Meanwhile, news emerged that Keshi was suddenly the bride of so many countries that wanted him to manage their national teams. At least four countries were mentioned as Keshi’s suitors.
As if infuriated the more by the widely publicised moves by Keshi to dump the Eagles, it is said few hours to the final match against Burkina Faso, the NFF authorities sat Keshi down for a discussion and a proposal for him to work under a foreign coach was tabled before him.
Sources said that was when the face off degenerated because the coach told the NFF officials in unmincing terms that he would not work under anyone, whether black or white. Keshi’s adamant position was said to have angered the NFF big wigs who had to go back to the drawing board.
While re-strategising, the final match had to be played on February 10 and that was the day Keshi acquired the power that he is presently brandishing. The Super Eagles, in line with general expectations, defeated Burkina Faso 1-0 to win the AFCON title for the third time.
Like him or hate him, it was not possible to attribute the victory to any other person than the coach of the team on whose shoulders rested the responsibility of guiding the Eagles on the pitch. With the victory, the Eagles and their coach instantly moved from villains to heroes. This was not surprising because victory, as it is said has many followers but defeat is always an orphan.
At the moment, the Super Eagles have brought joy to the hearts of millions of Nigerians and they are getting commensurate reward for the success. Even before President Goodluck Jonathan splashed government’s millions of naira, plots of land and national honours on the victorious team, worthy individuals had started the naira rain. Business mogul and president of Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote rewarded the Eagles with N130m just as another Nigerian billionaire and owner of globacom, Chief Mike Adenuga rewarded the Eagles with over N1b.
It is a moment for celebration but for many it is victory turn sour due to the frosty relationship between the NFF and coach Keshi. Instead of concentrate fully on celebrating the victory, Nigerian fans had to busy themselves with discussions concerning the shocking ‘resignation’.
While many people questioned the rationale behind Keshi’s decision to dump the Eagles in foreign land, many blamed the NFF for denying the coach the necessary support at such a critical moment. Those who supported Keshi wondered why his employers should bring up such ‘distraction’ as hiring a foreign coach few hours to the all important match.
Although nobody has seen Keshi’s resignation letter, it is said prominent Nigerians including the number one citizen, President Goodluck Jonathan have prevailed on the coach to rescind his decision. He did and that’s why he led his players to the grand reception in their honour in Abuja.
However, most Nigerians are worried about the future of the Super Eagles after what is said to be open confrontation between coach Keshi and the NFF. It is said what the coach did was to take back his own pound of flesh but how the NFF big wigs he exposed to public opprobrium will manage his surprise attack on them is another thing entirely.
Will there be harmonious working relationship between Keshi and his employers again?. Clearly, the new found love from the Presidency and the National Assembly, is Keshi’s new powers to fight NFF’s ‘undue interference’ but will his employers completely banish the thought of hiring a foreign coach?.
Going by what is on ground, the last is yet to be heard about the Keshi resignation saga. Informed sources say Keshi’s resignation withdrawal is conditional. It is said the moment the NFF makes moves to impose a foreigner on him, Keshi will definitely revolt.
For those who know Keshi’s antecedents, what the coach needs most is free hand to do his job. And as a long as the ‘overnight technical advisers’ insist on doing his job for him, there is every possibility that he will continue to fight against undue interference. Moreover, his love for power is part of what makes him the ‘Big Boss’.
At the moment, Keshi has got the upper hand in this fight. He timed his move perfectly for his own pound of flesh. Having won the support of the powers that be, Keshi has simply taken round one in the battle against unnecessary interference.