BY Victor Akhidenor
Out-of-contract Nigeria coach, Stephen Keshi, insists he is focused on managing the Super Eagles in the win-or-bust Africa Cup of Nations double-header against Sudan despite having no contract in place.
Talks between Keshi and the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) over a new contract have been on and off since it expired during the World Cup, but the 52-year-old was brought back for the team’s last two matches.
The games didn’t go according to script, as Nigeria lost to Congo at home and played a draw with South Africa in Cape Town.
Super Eagles are third in Group A, with only the top two teams guaranteed a place at the finals.
Despite this setback and also not hearing from the newly-elected NFF board on his future, Keshi says he will continue in the role in the two games with Sudan in October 11 and 15, 2014.
“I’m still working based on the previous arrangement agreed with the Sports Minister Tamuno Danagogo,” Keshi told BBC Sport.
“I’ve not heard from the new NFF board because elections only happened 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 has come under heavy criticism from the media with ex-international, Victor Ikpeba recently saying he’s unimpressed with his work. Yet the Big Boss is unperturbed.
“I have named a squad strong enough for these games and the plan is to get the players together early enough to prepare,” he said.
“We can’t bother ourselves with the speculations in the media. When you take care of business on the pitch then other things will be secondary.”
With recent reports in the media constantly linking Samson Siasia with the job and the former Flying Eagles coach not quelling the rumour but expressing his willingness to return as Eagles coach, Keshi’s primary and secondary responsibilities could well be how to stave off interests in his job.
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