Nigeria have sacked Stephen Keshi as the national team coach with former coach Shuaibu Amodu taking over on a temporary basis until the appointment of a former manager.
The Super Eagles beat Sudan 3-1 in Abuja a day before but their form during recent times was abject as they were lying in the bottom of Group A in qualifying for the African Cup of Nations early next year.
Keshi guided Nigeria to a place in the knockout rounds where they were defeated by France in the last 16 but their last 11 matches brought five defeats, five draws and just one victory which ultimately led to his sacking.
The Nigerian Football Federation released a statement appreciating the coach and his staff of their achievements in the last three years and gave the following statement regarding his exit.
“In the interest of Nigeria football and the desire to ensure qualification for the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations finals, the (executive) committee decided to relieve them of their duties with immediate effect.”
Amodu will take his role in the remaining matches against Congo and South Africa with a foreign coach taking over after that. He was sacked four years ago and remarkably it will be the fifth time he will become Nigeria’s head coach.
Nigeria have four points from four matches and their next opponents Congo have seven while group leaders South Africa are on eight.