AFCON: NFF Approves Keshi's Program

The Nigeria Football Federation has approved the programme for the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers submitted by Super Eagles coach, Stephen Keshi. The trainer submitted his programme to the NFF few days after he was unveiled as the coach for his second spell in charge.

He has suggested the month of May for the commencement of his team’s camping in Abuja which the NFF has duly obliged to.


NFF general secretary Dr. Sanusi Mohammed told Goal that the federation has approved the programme.

“Yes, Keshi’s programme for the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations has been approved by the NFF. The Super Eagles team is due to start camping sometime this month,” Sanusi told Goal.

“All the necessary things needed for the successful camping in Abuja have been put in place. So we don’t envisage any problem as regards that since the first qualifying match will commence next month and the first match will be played in Abuja. So all hands are on deck for the match,” he said.

Goal also reliably gathered that at least 25 home-based players would be invited for the first phase of the camping exercise.

Keshi has also given room for the overseas-based players that would soon be on holidays after the end of their various league campaigns in Europe to join the team.

But a reliable source close to Keshi disclosed that he is not interested in any player that is not playing regularly for his club this time around.

“Keshi is desperate to achieve success in his second stint with the Super Eagles. He has told everyone that is close to him that only players that are performing well and playing regularly for their clubs in Europe and other parts of the globe would be invited for the 2017 AFCON qualifiers,” the source said.

The list of the invited Super Eagles’ players for the June 13 battle between Nigeria and Chad would be released early next week, Goal also learnt.