AFCON 2017 QUALIFIER: Laloko warns Keshi

Former technical director of Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Kashimawo Laluko believes the Super Eagles coach, Stephen Keshi would be sacked if he fails to qualify the country for the next edition of the Nations Cup in Gabon.

The erstwhile Gambia gaffer stated this in a brief chat with SoccerStar at the MKO Abiola Stadium, Abeokuta, recently.

His words: “I’m confident President Buhari will sack Keshi if he fails to qualify the Eagles to the 2017 AFCON in Gabon. I know Mr. President doesn’t take nonsense. He knows the importance of football and he won’t give room for mistakes. So, the coach should better brace up or be booted out from his post.”

Speaking further, the seasoned coach pleaded with the new government to sanitise the country’s football house as it is being done at FIFA level in the recent time.

According to him: “Nigeria is in the era of change and I am sure when things change for good in the country it will surely affect the football administration. The present situation we found ourselves was due to lack of discipline.

“During the tenure of Goodluck Jonathan, things actually got worst in our football administration and I strongly believe that the government of the day will correct all this anomalies.”

… As Enyeama faces sanctions

Nigeria goalkeeper, Vincent Enyeama could face sanctions after questioning the suitability of the venue for his country’s last Africa Cup of Nations qualifier.

Enyeama, who plays for French side Lille, suggested Kaduna city, in northern Nigeria, should not have been chosen to host Saturday’s match against Chad on security grounds.

The Super Eagles won the match 2-0. Enyeama skippered the side in his 101st appearance for his country, making him Nigeria’s most capped international.

The comments reportedly did not go down well with the new Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, who said he would not attend the match until football federation chiefs do something about it.

Boko Haram Islamists, who believed football is a Western ploy to distract Muslims from their religion, had attacked cities in northern Nigeria, including Kaduna.

But the violence is largely concentrated in the northeast.

Enyeama, 32, later apologised but Nigeria Football Federation officials said they were looking at punishing the player after manager Stephen Keshi criticised the remarks.

“What Vincent did was unacceptable and he cannot go unpunished for this,” added Nigeria’s former midfielder, Garba Lawal, who is now general manager at Kaduna United FC.