Former Nigeria coach; Stephen Keshi has demanded a US$5m (£3.2m) compensation from the Nigeria Football Federation following his dismissal from the job.

Keshi was sacked at the start of July and has been replaced by Sunday Oliseh

He has written to the NFF through his lawyers demanding the amount as a compensation for the defamation of his character.

NFF officials however believe the claim is unsubstantiated and are confident the body will not be forced to compensate the Delta-born gaffer.

It is understood that Stephen Keshi is keen on protecting his reputation and profile in football circles following allegations levelled against him by the NFF disciplinary committee. The case is however yet to take full legal proportions as Keshi also hopes to resolve the matter amicably.

The well versed technical handler has incidentally toed the line of his predecessor who also protested his dismissal via an intended lawsuit in 2011.

Stephen Keshi, a former captain of the national team, led the side to the 2013 Nations Cup title in South Africa and also steered the Super Eagles to the Round of 16 at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil; a feat which was last achieved in 1998

His contract was not renewed after the World Cup but he later returned on a match-by-match deal, which ended in November after the team's failure to reach the 2015 Nations Cup finals.

As caretaker coach, Keshi endured a turbulent 2014, in which he was sacked by the NFF and only reinstalled after intervention from former President Goodluck Jonathan.

The 53-year-old, who returned for his third spell in April, led his side to a 2-0 home win against Chad in a 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier in June, but was shown the exit door after being accused of contravening the provisions of the Federation’s rules.