NFF may ban Enyeama over Kaduna comment

LUKMAN OLOGUNRO

Chairman of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) Disciplinary Committee, Barrister Christopher Green, has revealed that Super Eagles goalkeeper, Vincent Enyeama, could be banned from appearing for the national team in future.

The NFF announced on June 20 that Enyeama has been summoned before its disciplinary committee on Tuesday, June 23. Enyeama was queried by the NFF for comments relating to safety and security in Kaduna, venue of Nigeria’s first 2017 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) qualifying match against Chad. The LOSC Lille goalkeeper failed to reply the query and has now been asked to appear before the disciplinary committee on Tuesday. Speaking exclusively to supersport.com, chairman of the committee, Green has now revealed that failure to appear before the committee could result in a ban, for Enyeama, from turning out for the Super Eagles in future.

“Yes, that (recommending that Enyeama is stopped from playing for Nigeria) is an option but right now, I would rather wait until after the meeting on Tuesday,” he said. The NFF’s disciplinary committee chief also took the time to address the fine of $5,000 USD fine slammed on midfielder, Ogenyi Onazi. Onazi was punished after receiving a straight red card in the game against Chad for scuffling with Les Sao’s Massama Asselmo in the 81st minute. The SS Lazio man claimed afterwards that he was elbowed by Asselmo but Green was not impressed.

“Would Onazi have done that if he was playing at his club? The truth is some of our players don’t show the required amount of discipline when they play for the national team. “These things will no longer be condoned because without discipline, nothing positive can be achieved,” he said. Keshi faces probe over application for Cote d’Ivoire job LUKMAN OLOGUNRO The Nigeria Football Federation intend to investigate the application of national team coach Stephen Keshi for the vacant Ivory Coast job. Keshi has been named amongst the 59 candidates hoping to succeed Herve Renard, who departed the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations champions last month to return to club management with Lille. Keshi’s relationship with the NFF has become strained since he led the Super Eagles to the AFCON title in 2013 and the revelation that the 53-year-old has applied for the Elephants post is causing a stir within the Nigerian governing body.

NFF spokesman Ademola Olajire told the BBC: “The NFF will open a full investigation to determine whether Mr. Stephen Keshi actually applied for the vacant Ivory Coast job. “There will be no hasty decision. We hope to get a full part from the Ivory Coast football federation before making an official statement.” The Ivory Coast FA will name a reduced three-man shortlist before appointing a new man at the helm. Former Italy and Republic of Ireland boss Giovanni Trapattoni and Dave Jones, who managed Southampton and Wolves in the English Premier League, are amongst those being considered.