Soccer Fans Unhappy With Keshi's Re-Appointment

Soccer fans in Kaduna yesterday expressed disappointment with the re-appointment of Stephen Keshi as Head Coach of the Super Eagles by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF).
The coach was on Tuesday re-engaged for two years by the association after a prolonged re-negotiation of his contract and behind-the-scenes settlements to be finally concluded.
Those interviewed in Kaduna said that his return was not acceptable as he failed to secure the country the ticket to the last Africa Cup of Nations staged in Equatorial Guinea.

John Fwah, a former Sports Editor of the defunct Kaduna-based New Nigerian Newspapers, said the decision by NFF was in bad taste as the performance of the coach was poor.
"I am not happy with his return. His performance was below expectation. The team needs a serious-minded coach that will improve their performance," he said.
Vincent Akinbanmi, a Kaduna-based sport journalist, also said the decision by NFF was wrong.
"When coaches perform badly the way Keshi did, the best option is to let the coach go."
He said the usual practice was when you set a target and a coach failed to meet it, you allow the fellow to move on.
"I hope the decision will not further affect the backward slide of the national team in the World FIFA monthly ranking.
"Nigeria's ranking has gone down very well. We need a good coach that will propel us forward," noted Akinbanmi.
For James John, a trader, the return of Keshi as head coach "shows that the NFF has special interest in him".
He said his performance with the team was not encouraging and ought to be replaced.
"I don't think the NFF made the right decision because when you look at his performance, it is below average. We need someone who will bring back joy and glory to the nation," John said. NAN