The NFF have ended their association with the Super Eagles coach, but there are enough loose ends to suggest the exorcism of Nigerian football's poltergeist is not yet complete.

 

 

There is something surreal in the fact that, following the news of Stephen Keshi's sacking, the immediate response was: “For real this time?” It is apt, of course, considering that the Big Boss has been fused at the hip with the NFF, a burdensome conjoined twin, eternally at cross-purposes.

The severance could hardly be messier, but it had to be done. This is an outcome for which neither party is without blame, but also neither party’s action could be faulted entirely.

In submitting the application for the Cote d’Ivoire job – whether he did so by himself or by proxy is not relevant; there was an indication of interest, and it bore his name – Keshi essentially burned the candle at both ends. However, there is enough here for reasonable doubt, even though there is no grand jury to convince or convict.
There are two possibilities here: either, in handing in his application, Keshi banked on the insularity of the process to maintain cover; or he did so fully aware that it would get out, and could not be bothered with the terrible repercussion(s).

  
    Keshi is a lot of things (not all of them pleasant), but he is by no means a naïve man. Applying on the down-low and assuming his identity would remain a secret seems way too jejune to be credible.

On the other hand, if he was aware it could get out, and was willing to do so just the same, it raises the tantalizing question: what did he expect would be the ultimate outcome?

Never mind the public back-clapping and conciliatory tone of Amaju Pinnick at his contract signing; Keshi is in bad odour with the NFF and knows it. He is well aware that they only seek the slightest opportunity to give him the boot, and he pretty much cobbled together the leather needed.

This makes little sense, especially considering there were no guarantees regarding the Ivorian job to begin with. A bird in the hand, and all that.

The action in itself contravenes no known labour law, and is not a direct breach of contract as far as I know. Keshi is well within his right to apply for any job at any time. That said, all things are lawful, but not all things are expedient. It was hardly a mole-hill, but all the NFF really needed was a yam heap.

So, if he knew this could jeopardise his position if it came out, why go ahead and do it? What could he stand to gain?

Reports from his camp have been to the effect that he has not been served notice of his sack, and that he plans to challenge the decision on the grounds stated. He could rightly take the NFF to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) for unlawful termination, but what would be a favourable outcome? Forced reinstatement? It is unlikely that he really wants that, unless there is a twisted masochistic bent in his psyche we are as yet unaware of.

Financial redress? By virtue of his sack, he already is due a healthy severance, with two years left to run on his contract, especially considering it is not on the grounds of grievous misconduct.