Technical Director of the NFF, Amodu Shaibu, has regretted asking Keshi not to lobby for re-engagement after his contract expired after the World Cup.
Shaibu had told Keshi not to hang around like a beggar after his last contract lapsed.
Reacting to the statement after receiving his appointment letter from the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) Amodu said himself he did not say so in bad faith.
“Keshi has not been on talking terms with me since then. I simply mean he should move on and go for something bigger since he made his mark after winning the African coach of the year 2O13,” he said.
“If I do not support Keshi, I would have taken his job when I was approached during the Nations Cup qualifiers,” he added.
“I turned down the offer because of our relationship. But if what I said angered him, I regret it,” Amodu said.
He revealed that some Nigerians called to rebuke him over the statement while some called to hail him.
He however said with the ratification of his appointment as the NFF Technical Director, he has no choice than to call
Keshi and I join hands to move the country up in the sport.
“We once worked together as a team and maintained perfect relationship,” he explained.
Amodu says he won’t have any problems with Keshi or with any of the other national team coaches. “I don’t think there will be a problem with that one. We are all here to work for Nigerian football and for the development of Nigerian football.
“So I don’t think there should be a problem between me and Keshi or any other Nigerian coach for that matter,” Amodu added