Super Eagles Team Secretary, Dayo Enebi Achor, has shed more light on the controversy regarding the widely reported resignation of coach Stephen Keshi the day after he led Nigeria to win the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations in South Africa.
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Keshi was reported to have announced his resignation through a radio station in South Africa, citing lack of respect on the part of Nigeria Football Federation officials and loss of confidence in his ability to lead the team forward as major reasons for his action.
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It took the prompt intervention of sports minister, Bolaji Abdulahi, to convince the former Togo coach to change his mind. But Achor insists that the NFF's action was normal, saying it was done according to the continental governing body (CAF) regulations.
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"On the controversial issue of tickets being issued ahead of the tie against Cote d'Ivoire, it was part of CAF regulations to prepare tickets for the two teams that were playing in the quarter-finals in advance, as none of them was expected to stay in the hotel beyond 24 hours after the game," he explained.
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"Even the team that qualified was also to move to the next venue of the tournament immediately, according to CAF regulations. So, the Ivorians also had their departure tickets ready and you will recall that they left under 24 hours. So there should be no controversy over that at all.
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"It was based on that proposal from CAF that I spoke to all the players on where they would like their tickets to be routed through and I am sure that the Ivorian federation also did same to their players. So there was no issue about the NFF or the backroom staff acting in bad faith or not wishing the team well as we are now being labeled."
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However, the players were said not to have supplied Achor with the information he sought, as they were unhappy that nobody gave them a chance against favourites Cote d'Ivoire.
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The players were said to have felt that Achor and the NFF could have waited till after the match to make their travelling arrangements if they truly believed in the team.