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Stephen Keshi, Penning New Super Eagles Coaching Deal, Urges Nigerians To Forget The Messy Past

His new contract will terminate at the end of the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations in Gabon, just as the last one came to an end after the 2014 World Cup in Brazil in which he guided Nigeria to the second round.

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Months of tension, suspense and counter-accusations in Nigerian soccer were set aside this afternoon in Abuja this afternoon as Coach Stephen Keshi signed a new two-year contract to return as coach of Nigeria’s Super Eagles.

Keshi, the former Togo and Mali coach who led the Super Eagles to the African Cup of Nations championship two years ago, called on Nigerians to put the past behind them and join him in working for greater success.

His new contract will terminate at the end of the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations in Gabon, just as the last one came to an end after the 2014 World Cup in Brazil in which he guided Nigeria to the second round. 

On his new start, which has been in doubt, he appealed to all parties for cooperation, admitting he cannot succeed by himself, as he thanked God for the opportunity.

“I alone cannot do this job,” he said after signing his contract.  “It’s big, it’s huge. I know the NFF will give me 150% support and I know that Nigerians will give us the support. This is the time for us to come together to fight for this nation. I am begging you all to please put the past behind and let's start afresh."

He said he recognized he was simply a privileged citizen among 170 million Nigerians, and thanked his compatriots for their confidence him. 

The coach’s relationship with the Nigeria Football Federation has generally been frosty, leading him to quit his post hours after his Cup of Nations triumph in 2013.

He later rescinded that decision, but was later fingered for instigating pay rows last year involving the team prior to the FIFA Confederations Cup and later at the World Cup.

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