Keshi quits over Saintfiet

Posted: 2012-04-01 09:49

Nigeria coach Stephen Keshi has handed in his resignation in protest at the appointment of Belgian Tom Saintfiet as Technical Director.

Keshi, who flew out to the USA last week, sent in his resignation by telegram, claiming it was an insult on Nigerian coaches to employ a European ahead of qualified indigenous candidates.

"This is a difficult decision for me, but I am speaking on behalf of Nigerian coaches and even other African coaches in their own countries," Keshi said in his telegram delivered by his representative Apre Folo. "We have qualified candidates here in Nigeria, but the NFF chose to hire a European.

"I cannot work under such conditions. So, as much as it pains me, I have decided to take the painful decision to step aside until the right thing is done."

Folo, Keshi's representative, says the former Nigeria captain is determined to see this fight to the end as he seeks to get respect for Nigerian coaches.