Nigeria’s AFCON Hopes in Jeopardy as Keshi Alleges Sabotage
Nigeria’s campaign to defend their Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) title is in serious jeopardy after a disappointing start to the 2015 qualifying rounds. The Super Eagles, reigning champions from the 2013 tournament, find themselves teetering on the brink of elimination after securing just one point from their first three matches.
A 1-0 defeat to Sudan in Omdurman on Saturday deepened the crisis, leaving Nigeria at the bottom of their qualification group. The shock loss has triggered alarm among supporters and within football circles, and interim coach Stephen Keshi has broken his silence in dramatic fashion.
In a revealing interview with the BBC, Keshi did not hold back in expressing his frustration, claiming that forces within Nigeria are actively working against the team’s success.
“Some people are sabotaging. I’m not going to mention their names, but they’ll recognise themselves,” Keshi said. “They want to sink the team. Some people are ready to sell the country for a penny. They want to sabotage the Super Eagles. It’s a disgrace.”
While Keshi did not name specific individuals, his remarks appeared to be aimed at officials within the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF), which has been mired in leadership disputes and internal divisions in recent months. The ongoing turmoil at the administrative level has raised concerns about its impact on team morale and performance.
Keshi’s comments suggest that off-the-pitch politics may be undermining the Super Eagles’ ability to focus and perform. Nigeria, once a powerhouse of African football, now faces the unthinkable prospect of missing out on the 2015 tournament in Morocco.
“As the reigning champions, it’s annoying that we’re in this position,” Keshi added. “We’ve only managed one point from a possible nine. It’s a dreadful performance.”
The coach stopped short of blaming his players directly, instead pointing toward what he sees as systemic failures and deliberate efforts to derail the team’s progress. His remarks come at a time when Nigerian football is under intense scrutiny, with growing calls for structural reform and greater transparency within the federation.
Keshi, a national hero after guiding Nigeria to AFCON victory in 2013 and the Round of 16 at the 2014 World Cup, has endured a rocky relationship with the football authorities. Though he stepped down after the World Cup, he was reappointed on an interim basis, with his future remaining uncertain.
As Nigeria prepares for the return leg against Sudan, the pressure is immense. Nothing less than a victory will suffice if the Super Eagles are to keep their slim hopes of qualification alive.
With the team faltering on the field and allegations of sabotage off it, Nigerian football finds itself at a crossroads — one where unity and clear leadership may be the only way forward.
