Keshi Re-Appointed As Super Eagles Coach --NFF

Stephen Keshi has been re-appointed as coach of African champions
Nigeria despite being sacked earlier this month, in the latest twist
in a long-running battle for control of the country's football
federation.

Keshi led the Super Eagles to the African title in 2013 but was sent
packing on October 16 after a string of poor performances, including a
surprise defeat away to Sudan.

But many believe that protracted political battles inside the Nigerian
Football Federation (NFF) were behind his dismissal and his eventual
reinstatement.

Reports surfaced on Thursday suggesting that President Goodluck
Jonathan had intervened to order Keshi be given a new contract.

The new NFF boss Amaju Pinnick, who emerged on top after an extended
power struggle within the NFF, is seen as a Keshi rival, while the
sports minister Tammy Danagogo is known to be a supporter of the
outspoken coach.

The man named by Pinnick to lead the Super Eagles after Keshi's
firing, Shuaibu Amodu, had also come out in favour of Keshi's return
for Nigeria's upcoming matches.

The caretaker coach said he did not have enough time to remake the
squad that his predecessor had shaped.

On Friday, the NFF technical committee said it had "decided to accept"
Amodu's proposal for Keshi to be re-instated for Nigeria's next Africa
Cup of Nations qualifiers against Congo and South Africa in November.

NFF President Pinnick said he will not oppose Keshi's return.

"I have never had anything against Keshi as a person. Amodu is someone
we all respect and since that is his opinion and the technical
committee has approved, so be it," Pinnick said.

"I am also assuring Nigerians at home and abroad that the NFF will
give Keshi all the necessary support to successfully prosecute the two
very crucial final matches of the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations
qualifying series," he added.

Nigeria need to not only win both matches but beat Congo by a margin
of two goals to stand any chance of automatic qualification for the
finals in Morocco next year.

Keshi's return seemed to suggest that the power struggles inside the
NFF will rumble on, with the body's leader accepting the return of a
coach he had ousted.

Meanwhile, Keshi announced the recall of Spain-based striker Ikechukwu
Uche for the two upcoming qualifiers.

Keshi had left Uche out of the 2014 World Cup squad, reportedly for
defying team strategy, in a move which sparked furious debate among
Super Eagles fans.

Chelsea midfielder John Mikel Obi, Ahmed Musa of CSKA Moscow and
Fenerbache striker Emmanuel Emenike have also been named in the 25-man
squad.

Nigeria squad for Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Congo and
South Africa:

Goalkeepers: Vincent Enyeama (Lille OSC/FRA), Austin Ejide (Hapoel
Be'er Sheva/ISR), Chigozie Agbim (Gombe United)

Defenders: Elderson Echiejile (Monaco/FRA), Juwon Oshaniwa (Ashdod
FC/ISR), Efe Ambrose (Celtic FC/SCO), Solomon Kwambe (Sunshine Stars),
Godfrey Oboabona (Rizespor FC/TUR), Kenneth Omeruo
(Middlesbrough/ENG), Azubuike Egwuekwe (Warri Wolves)

Midfielders: John Mikel Obi (Chelsea/ENG), Ogenyi Onazi (Lazio/ITA),
Hope Akpan (Reading/ENG), Raheem Lawal (Eskisehirspor/TUR), Omatsone
Aluko (Hull City/ENG); Tony Edjomari (Nasarawa United)

Forwards: Ahmed Musa (CSKA Moscow/RUS), Emmanuel Emenike
(Fenerbahce/TUR), Gbolahan Salami (Warri Wolves), Osaguona Ighodaro
(Enugu Rangers), Ikechukwu Uche (Villarreal/SPA), Aaron Samuel
(Guangzhou R&F/CHN), Sunday Emmanuel (SV Scholz Grodig/AUS), Babatunde
Michael (Volyn Lutsk/UKR), Emem Eduok (Dolphins FC)
--Vanguard