Nigeria’s football federation were voted out of office on Saturday after being accused of botching up the country’s World Cup campaign but it is unlikely FIFA will recognise the hastily-arranged elections as anything more than a coup d’etat.

An extraordinary general assembly of the federation went ahead in Abuja on Saturday despite FIFA’s warning of a possible suspension for the African nation if it did not restore the old leadership to power.

A regional high court last week ordered the dismissal of the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) executive, just over a day after the Super Eagles were eliminated from the World Cup by France in the last 16.

The court also mandated the sports minister to appoint a caretaker administrator, who swiftly called new elections.

NFF president Aminu Maigari was also detained by police on Friday on his arrival back from Brazil but later released.

FIFA said on Friday that if the NFF leadership were not restored to their posts by tomorrow the country could be suspended from all international football activities.

But Saturday’s assembly endorsed the sacking of Maigari and his executive and the termination of the employment of all management staff at the NFF.

Nigerian players were involved in strike action after qualifying for the last 16 at the World Cup in Brazil but resumed training after Nigerian president Goodluck Jonathan had spoken to several senior players by telephone and assured them their bonus money would be paid.

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