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Nigerian NFF not to sack U17 coach Amuneke

Xinhua, March 16, 2015 Adjust font size:

Nigeria's football authorities on Monday denied that they will sack coach of the under-17 team Emmanuel Amuneke after he led the team to a fourth place at a Confederation of African Football-sponsored tourney held recently in Niger.

Speculation had run rife in the West African country that Amuneke would be replaced, but the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) said it was baseless and untrue.

Ademola Olajire, spokesman of the NFF, told reporters in the Nigerian capital Abuja that, on the contrary, the football authorities were solidly behind coach Amuneke.

"The tournament was not a do or die affair. At least, the team was able to get Nigerians the World Cup ticket and this is commendable," the official said, referring to the team's performance at the CAF U17 championship.

He added the NFF has passed a vote of confidence on the coach, whose team will represent Nigeria at the FIFA U17 World Cup to be hosted by Chile later in the year. Endi