Stephen Okechukwu Keshi is a man that shouldn't go near any Nigerian soccer bench. After winning the 2013 edition of the African cup of Nations in South Africa, a steady fall was noticed in the performance of the team.
Just a month after the continental victory, Nigeria forced Kenya to a 1-1 draw in a World cup qualifier that was played in Calabar in March 2013.
The team have lacked coordination ever since February 2013. The team had a poor performance at the FIFA Confederations cup in Brazil where they lost 2 of their 3 group games.
After managing to overcome Ethiopia,Kenya and Namibia ensure route Brazil 2014 World cup, the Eagles lost a couple of friendlies against Greece, USA and Jordan.
The 2015 Nations cup qualifier started in September with Nigeria losing at home to Congo Brazaville by 3-2. A goalless draw against South Africa and a 1-0 loss to Sudan made it almost impossible for the team to book a place at the AFCON 2015 tournament.
Victories over Sudan in Calabar and a 2-0 away win over Congo Brazaville revived the hopes of Nigerian fans, but a shocking 2-2 home draw nailed the coffin on the crooked Super Eagles team.
It's still unclear why Keshi decided to invite Emmanuel Emenike who had failed to score an international goal since February 2013.
Kenneth Omeruo was forced to play the match in Uyo despite having an injury. Azubuike Egwueke had been a suspect in the Nigerian defence for a long time and Keshi paid dearly for it as the South Africans got an impressive draw.
Nigeria's president actually facilitated the return of Keshi after NFF had failed to extend his contract.
The Bafana Bafana of South Africa have denied the Super Eagles of Nigeria a place at Equatorial Guinea 2015 in Uyo, Nigeria.
South Africa had earlier won the group before playing their final qualification match in Nigeria, but the African champions failed to capitalise on home advantage as they played out a 2-2 draw at the Nest of champions stadium.
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The visitors took the lead in the 42nd minute after Nigeria had missed several chances. Ahmed Musa rattled the crossbar in the early minutes of the encounter.
The free flowing style of play exhibited by the South Africans unsettled the sluggish and weak Nigerian defence line.
The quartet of Juwon Oshaniwa,Azubuike Egwueke, Kenneth Omeruo and Efe Ambrose couldn't prevent the 1996 champions from claiming a point in Uyo.
Omatsone Aluko scored a brace to earn Nigeria a 2-2 draw at home.
Stephen Keshi was earlier sacked by the Nigerian Football Federation after a poor showing in the first four matches of the campaign.
The team eventually finished 3rd with 8 points from 6 games.
The strong headed Keshi refused to invite top Nigerian players like Victor Anichebe, Chinedu Ogbuke and Sammy Amoebi.
The defending champions won't be in Equatorial Guinea between January 19th and February 2015.
Manchester City succumbed to a 2-1 defeat against West Ham United at the Upton Park in London.
The premier league match kicked off during lunch time on Saturday 25th October 2014 with both sides in the top four.
Manuel Pellegrini's men were placed second before the match while Sam Allardyce's London club were fourth.
Morgan Amalfitano put the home team in front after 22 minutes of action in which Joe Hart had made a couple of saves for City.
Enner Valencia's cut back was converted by Morgan from close range.
Despite having 67% of the ball possession, Manchester City failed to break down the Hammers and went into the break by a goal down.
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After the restart, the hosts managed to prevent the league champions from breaching their defence.
Diafra Sakho made it 2-0 to West Ham in the 75th minute after going close three minutes earlier.
Aguero's effort came off the crossbar in the 65th minute before Sakho scored his sixth consecutive league goal.
David Silva scored a brilliant goal in the 77th minute, but that was not enough to deny West Ham United a famous victory.
Jelavic and Toure failed ti equalise for the visitors during injury time.
The Londoners defeated Liverpool by 3-1 a month ago.
The executive board of the Nigerian football federation has relieved Stephen Keshi of his job. The ex international took over the mantle of the Super Eagles gaffer in December 2011 after the nation failed to book a ticket to the AFCON 2012 tournament.
Nigeria won the African cup of nations under his tutelage in a tournament that was hosted in South Africa last year. The team laboured to go beyond the group stage of the tournament after playing draw against Burkina Faso and Zambia.
Victor Moses scored a brace in their last group match against Ethiopia before the team went on to claim the African title for the first time in 19 years.
In June 2013, Nigeria participated at the FIFA Confederations cup that was held in Brazil. The team beat Tahiti by 6-1, but lost their games against Spain and Uruguay.
The NFF decided to appoint a technical adviser that will assist Keshi, but the former Togo manager, rejected the offer as he claimed that there was no need to get a foreign assistance.
Sylvanus Okpala that assisted him had been fired by the board due to financial and disciplinary issues.
Where did Keshi go wrong?
Stephen Keshi was at loggerheads with the top players in the team. He accused players like Ikechukwu Uche, Peter Odemwingie and Obafemi Martins of indiscipline and lack of commitment.
Uche's case was more pronounced because of his scintillating form in the Spanish league, but he was ignored by Keshi.
The manager refused to update his knowledge and his lack of technical depth affected the team's performance against established sides like USA, Greece, Scotland and Ireland.
Keshi also led the home based team to the third place at CHAN 2014 event. He chose a 3rd choice goal keeper in a club as the national team's first choice at the mundial. He eventually conceded 8 goals.
His poor tactics also led him to replace an injured Elderson Echiejile with a midfielder.
Finally, his poor form in the AFCON 2015 qualifiers where his wards picked just 4 points from a possible 12 nailed his coffin.
The Super Eagles can still make it to Morocco 2015 if they beat Congo Brazaville and South Africa in November.
