Stephen Keshi has been appointed Nigeria
coach for the third time after signing a two-
year contract on Tuesday.
In his first spell he
won the 2013 Africa
Cup of Nations but the deal was not
renewed after the 2014 World Cup.
He later returned on a match-by-match
deal, which ended in November after
failure to reach the 2015 Nations Cup .
"It's a fresh start. We need the support of
our fans, media and every Nigerian to
return the team to where we truly belong,"
Keshi told BBC Sport.
"As a coach and former player I was also
hurt that we failed to qualify for the last
Nations Cup.
"To succeed we all need to come together
as one because Nigeria belongs to us,
this is not Stephen Keshi's team but our
national team."
BBC Sport understands that Keshi has
been set several targets and that his
contract will be terminated if he does not
meet them.
The 53-year-old was also required to sign
a code of conduct and is expected to work
with the Nigerian Football Federation
technical committee.
However, the NFF's technical committee
boss Felix Anyansi-Agwu said: "The NFF
board is confident Stephen Keshi can take
the Super Eagles to new heights.
"We want Nigerians to see this as a new
beginning and to support the team and
the NFF."
Keshi, who also won the Nations Cup as a
player with Nigeria in 1994, declined to
comment on the contract details or the
exit of his long-term assistant Daniel
Amokachi.
Former Nigeria striker Amokachi has left
his role with immediate effect and has
been replaced by Salisu Yusuf.
Yusuf, who led Kano Pillars to the Nigerian
title in 2008, has previously worked as
assistant to former Nigeria coach Samson
Siasia at both senior and U-20 levels.
As caretaker coach, Keshi endured a
turbulent 2014, in which he was sacked by
the NFF and only reinstalled after
intervention from Nigeria President
Goodluck Jonathan.
His last two home matches in Abuja and
Akwa Ibom were marred by a negative
reaction from the public and Keshi has
pleaded for the home supporters to be
positive during the 2017 Nations Cup
qualifiers.
The Super Eagles have been drawn in one
of the toughest-looking groups, alongside
seven-time champions Egypt, Tanzania
and Chad.
"I understand we still have some
disappointed people out there but our
dedicated players deserve our
encouragement and support," added
Keshi.
"It doesn't matter where they play, these
boys always give everything and we need
to stand by them and the coaching crew.
"I remain confident that this time around
we will see an improvement, change in
attitude and positive results."
