President of the Nigeria Football Federation, Amaju Pinnick has given a hint that Super Eagles coach Stephen Keshi won’t be fired by his board, but rather would send him for a refresher course abroad.

Upon announcing the sacking of Keshi a month ago, Pinnick revealed the coach and his assistant turned down the opportunity to go for refresher courses to be sponsored by the board.


Nigeria’s coach Stephen Keshi gives a press conference at the Baixada Arena in Curitiba on June 15, 2014, on the eve of their Group F 2014 FIFA World Cup football match against Iran. AFP PHOTO

However, events took a different turn when an order from the country’s president, Goodluck Jonathan forced the NFF to reinstate the coach and his technical crew.

According to Pinnick, his board is fully focused on ensuring the Eagles prepare well for the 2017 AFCON and 2018 World Cup qualifiers by sending the team handlers to new courses abroad to broaden their scope and knowledge.

“In the short term package to reposition our football we will send some of our coaches and ex internationals to England for refresher courses in match reading,” said Pinnick.

“They will also receive orientation abroad on crisis management and other related courses that would help us improve on the quality of information to be given the coaches before, during and after games.”

He also confirmed the Eagles will play most of their friendly games at home starting with the 25 March 2015 friendly against Brazil at the Uyo township stadium.

The idea of playing most of the proposed friendly games in Nigeria is to showcase the county’s huge tourism potential and culture as a way of putting the country on a positive footing in the eyes of the world.