NFF, Allardyce deny Eagles link

New Nigeria Football Federation General Secretary Mohammed Sanusi has denied reports that the NFF has contacted West Ham manager Sam Allardyce over the vacant   Super Eagles coaching job.

Meanwhile, Allardyce has insisted that he wants to stay at the club beyond this season, saying he has no interest in managing another side.

The football body has yet to agree new terms with Stephen Keshi   over a new deal – after the former Nigeria captain’s contract expired after guiding the Eagles to a second round exit at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.

His assistant Daniel Amokachi has taken over the team on a caretaker basis.

Keshi, who helped Nigeria win the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations in South Africa, has been locked in a fierce battle with the NFF since the country failed to qualify for the 2015 continental finals in Equatorial Guinea.

He claimed recently the NFF offered him “a slave contract”.

“From the clauses I have seen so far, I don’t know what words to use but the contract can be described as a ‘slave contract’,” AFP quoted Keshi as saying.

Reports claim while the Tunisia ’94 AFCON winner is insistent on a pay rise, the NFF has refused to improve on Keshi’s N5m-a-month (expired) contract.

After the NFF said it was not short of options for the job, reports on Wednesday claimed the federation was tracking Englishman Allardyce, who coach ex-Nigeria midfielder Austin Okocha at Bolton.

However,   Sanusi, who replaced Musa Amadu on Thursday, denied any knowledge of a move to engage the services of Allardyce for the Eagles.

“Sam Allardyce? I’m not aware of that. This is the first time I’m hearing this. I tell you it is the first time I am hearing of this,” Sl10.ng quoted Sanusi as saying on Friday.

“On Stephen Keshi’s matter, I can’t speak about that now. I have just resumed and I am yet to be properly briefed by the relevant departments and when that is done, I promise I will give you more information,” Sanusi added.

Allardyce, 60, was linked with the permanent Sunderland job as well as Nigeria role this week as doubts over his own future continue to grow, according to Sports Mole on Friday.

In his column for the London Evening Standard, Allardyce wrote, “At the last count I believe I’ve been linked with three jobs this week – Sunderland, QPR and Nigeria!

“I understand why the speculation is there, of course I do. Everyone knows my contract with the club expires at the end of June and, as yet, nothing further has been decided.

“I would stress that, providing everyone is happy, I would like to stay at West Ham. They are a great club, moving in the right direction and a lot is now in place for sustained improvement.”