Keshi To Continue Handling Super Eagles Despite Lack of Contract
Stephen Keshi has said that he will continue to handle the Super Eagles as they prepare for their Africa Cup of Nations clashes against Sudan although he’s no longer bound to the team by a contract.
The 52-year-old Coach has been without a contract since the end of the 2014 World Cup in Brazil and is yet to receive any word on a new contract from the Nigeria Football Federation, even after crises affecting its leadership has been resolved.
He said: “I am still working based on the previous arrangement agreed with the Sports Minister, Tamuno Danagogo. I have not heard from the new NFF board because elections only took place on Tuesday so it is not a problem.
“My immediate focus is on the important matches against Sudan this month because it is very crucial for us to win both games.”
Keshi, who led Nigeria to her third African title in 2013 and the round of 16 in Brazil, has now said the next target is to qualify for Morocco 2015. The Super Eagles have had a poor start to the qualifiers, losing 3-2 to Congo in Calabar and playing a goalless draw with South Africa.
They must now win their remaining matches to keep any hopes of qualification, being third in Group A behind Congo and South Africa with only one point.
Talking about the first leg against Sudan scheduled for October 11 and the return fixture four days later in Abuja, Keshi said: “I have named a squad strong enough for these games and the plan is to get the players together early enough to prepare.
“We cannot bother ourselves with the speculations in the media. When you take care of business on the pitch then other things will be secondary.”
