Nigeria's government will pick up the tab for Keshi and his assistants, who are owed a total of 4.85 million U.S. dollars, the country's sports minister announced Friday.

"I had to appeal to the Presidency and everything should be cleared soon," the minister said.

Keshi, who has not been paid for at least five months, took Nigeria to glory in the Africa Cup of Nations and qualification for the World Cup finals in Brazil.

Despite shocked and surprised by Nigeria's position, the coach still said that they should continue to win and make Nigerians proud.

In the latest FIFA world rankings announced on Thursday, Nigeria slipped three places from 33 to 36 despite their World Cup qualification and a 2-2 draw in a friendly versus Italy.

The Nigerian Football Federation, which relies on government funding, has been plagued by financial worries in recent years and receives little in the way of private sponsorship. There are complaints that the budget is inadequate to meet the team's commitments. Endi

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