New president of the Nigerian Football Federation, Amaju Pinnick, has claimed Stephen Keshi‘s safety as a factor in his sacking.Fans at Nigeria’s 3-1 win over Sudan at the Abuja stadium rained down bottles and stones on the technical area, with chants of “Keshi must go:, “sack Keshi” and “we don’t want Keshi again” all over.
Speaking when he paid a courtesy visit to the Minister of Sports and Chairman, National Sports Commission, Dr. Tamuno Danagogo yesterday, Pinnick explained the personal safety of Keshi was considered more important than anything else.
Pinnck reportedly told the Minister that he was shocked with the hostile reception of the fans towards Keshi, arguing that it would be dangerous for Keshi to remain as coach in the face of such hostility.
He added that it was the first time in recent years that abuses and stones were rained down on a Nigerian coach by fans.
“It was too much to bear. The fans were coming for him and it was going to be a security risk for us as people had ran out of patience and were prepared to break the law to achieve their aim.
Keshi’s personal safety was paramount in our decision to relieve him of his duties”, Pinnick said.
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