I was not sacked –Keshi

The former coach of the Super Eagles, Stephen Keshi has said that he was not sacked by the Nigeria Football Federation.

Breaking his silence in Ilorin on Saturday over his sacking by the NFF, he argued that his contract with the NFF ended with the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, saying it would be inappropriate for anybody to say he was sacked.

He spoke at the Kwara State stadium during the final of the 28th edition of the All Financial Institutions Football competition.

The NFF announced Keshi’s sacking on Thursday with Shaibu Amodu as his replacement.

Keshi also said that the Eagles can still qualify for the African Cup of Nations, adding that the team only needed to work hard. He urged Nigerians to encourage the team.

“I was never sacked by the NFF. It’s if you have an existing contract that you would be sacked. Super Eagles can still qualify for the 2015 AFCON. They have the chance, because the group is still open. They only need to work harder.

“We need a lot of encouragement from Nigerians for the players to go ahead and qualify. I think we can qualify for the 2015 AFCON,” he said.

Nigeria is currently in the third position of Group A with four points, trailing Congo with seven points and South Africa leading the group with eight points while Sudan is the last in the group having three points.

Nigeria will play away with Congo on November 14, and at home with South Africa on November 19.

Meanwhile, First Bank of Nigeria, Lagos team defeated the Central Bank of Nigeria 1-0 to win the 28th edition of the All Financial Institutions Football competition organized by the NFF and CBN. The only goal was scored in the 56th minute by Gafar Lasisi.

The First Bank has won the competition for the eighth time, since 1979 when it was introduced. The team received the N2m star prize and a giant trophy.

Before the final match, the Security Exchange Commission had defeated Ikeja Micro Finance Bank 3-1 on penalties, after a goalless draw at the regulation time.

Twenty-four financial institutions competed in the 2014 edition of the fiesta which began on September 12, in four centres.