Erstwhile Nigeria coach Stephen Keshi says he is irked by media reports that he was sacked by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF).
The NFF parted company with the 52-year-old following a ‘disappointing’ start to the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) final qualifier, in which the Super Eagles have only managed 4 points from a possible 12.
Keshi, speaking to supersport.com in Ilorin, said he was surprised on how the news about his disengagement from the Nigeria national team was presented in the media.
He said: “I am not happy with the way media people are reporting this to the public, because I don’t understand how you would fire someone that has no contract. My contract expired after the World Cup in Brazil, and never made any effort for my contract to be renewed because of so many issues on the ground.
“I have accepted my fate, and I would move on with my life, but I want to make it clear that I was never sacked because I had no contract.”
The Eagles must win their remaining two Afcon qualifying matches- Congo (away) and South Africa (home) and hope results from other group fixtures favour them, if they were to be defending the title it won under the ex-Togo and Mali tactician in South Africa in 2013, come next year in Morocco.
Keshi, however, adds Nigeria have what it takes to be at the 2015 showpiece, saying: “I know Nigeria would qualify for the 2015 Nations Cup because we have the players that can do the job, but they need a lot of encouragement and support from Nigerians and I wish them good luck in their next two games.”
