President of Nigeria Football Federation, Amaju Pinnick has debunked reports that Super Eagles Coach Stephen Keshi over ruled backroom appointments made by the NFF. The board of the NFF upon sacking Keshi appointed new backroom staff for the Eagles, but Keshi’s dramatic return to his post nullified all employments. Those affected by the change effected by the return of Keshi include the media officer Toyin Ibitoye and team coordinator Garba Lawal.
Keshi’s coming also nullified the appointments of Salisu Yusuf and Gbenga Ogunbote as assistants as the big boss choose to work with his trusted allies. He also brought back Sylvanus Okpalla who was fired by the past board after the Nations cup triumph as one of his assistant.
Pinnick insist the changes were allowed by the NFF because Keshi pleaded to have his familiar team behind the scene due to the crucial nature of the remaining two games.
“It’s not correct for anyone to say Keshi over-ruled the NFF, his employers, that’s a misnomer,” he said in Abuja. “The truth is Keshi appealed to me to allow him have the complement of his usual staff for the remaining two games.
“I thought over it and agreed, there is no way he could have over-ruled the board.”
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