REVEALED: How Keshi’s powerful friends stopped NFF from sacking him after Sudan defeat

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) were reportedly set to sack Stephen Keshi, but some of his influential friends stepped in and saved his job.

According to dailypost, new NFF president Amaju Pinnick had decided to part ways with the Big Boss, after the Super Eagles were beaten 1-0 last weekend by Sudan in Khartoum.

However, after Pinnick consulted with some top government officials, everything was put on the back burner. Although top NFF officials are expected to meet after Nigeria’s reverse fixture against the Sudanese on Wednesday.

“The general thinking is that Keshi will be sacked and some of the top officials consulted on this have even given their approval, but there are some of the “powerful friends” of the coach who have warned against any such move,” the source told AfricanFootball.

“So, as it stands it is now a matter of who has the more powerful friends between the coach and his employers.

“You could see how apologetic and nervous Keshi was after the loss against Sudan and how boastful and daring he has grown thereafter.

“This is a direct result of the assurances he has received from his powerful friends that his job is safe.”

“The powerful friends were among those who facilitated the return of Keshi from the United States of America for the opening AFCON qualifiers last month and were the ones who put so much pressure on the NFF secretariat to give the coach a contract during the recent leadership crisis that engulfed the federation.”

A top NFF executive committee member also informed AfricanFootball.com: “We have to look at the bigger picture. Will a new coach really change things immediately or do we leave Keshi to complete what he has started?

“This is what we will meet as a group to decide on. It’s not just one person’s decision to take.”