NFF Opens ‘Full Investigation’ Into Keshi’s Alleged Application to Ivory Coast Job

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) will investigate reports that national team coach Stephen Keshi applied for the vacant head coach position of Ivory Coast.

The Ivory Coast football federation (FIF) had, on Friday, published names of 59 peoples to have disclosed interest in the race to succeed Herve Reinard. The names are to be trimmed to three who will be called for interview.

Keshi, as well as 58 others, was among the list but the page on the federation’s website has now been erased.

The 53-year-old has a running contract with the NFF, who has now revealed it will begin “full investigation” of the matter.

“The NFF will open a full investigation to determine whether Mr Stephen Keshi actually applied for the vacant Ivory Coast job,” NFF spokesman Ademola Olajire told BBC Sport.

Stephen Keshi is the Second Man to Win the Afcon as a Player and as a Coach.
Stephen Keshi is the Second Man to Win the Afcon as a Player and as a Coach.

“There will be no hasty decision. We hope to get a full part from the Ivory Coast football federation before making an official statement.”

Keshi signed a fresh two-year contract as coach of the Super Eagles in April, marking his third-coming with the three-time African champions.

He led the country to their most recent Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) triumph in South Africa during his first spell in 2013. That contract ended after the 2014 FIFA World Cup and was not renewed.

Keshi then returned as Eagles coach on a match-by-match basis, but that agreement ended after his failure to guide the side to the 2015 Afcon.