TheCable

Reports emanating from the media centre at the Mane Garrincha Stadium in Brasilia say Super Eagles coach, Stephen Keshi, has resigned his post with immediate effect.

According to Ben Alaiya, the team’s media officer, Keshi confirmed his resignation to the players after the round-of-16 defeat to France.

“He thanked them for all their efforts under his watch as their coach and wished them well for the future,” Alaiya said.

Also, team captain Joseph Yobo officially retired from the team after claiming his 100th cap in the game, becoming the first Nigerian to do so.

“It has been an honour,” Yobo said.

“I have loved every minute of every match I have played. I have played in three world cups and won the AFCON so I have run my race. I think I should give the younger ones the opportunity to forge ahead, because I have nothing new to offer.”

Goal keeper Vincent Enyeama, who was still very unhappy about the ouster, kept on saying: “Yes, we played well. But one mistake let us down”. He repeated that “one mistake” mantra so many times.

Reminded that Nigerians would not hold him responsible for the defeat as he was fantastic all tournament, he said: “I would rather have had a rubbish match and we are still in the tournament. I sincerely saw us going as far as the semi-final.”

Hinting at an analysis of his future with the national team, he added: “I will go back and think about a lot of things. Maybe I might decide to give the the younger ones a chance, but I will think about it after I have had a holiday. I have had a lot of fun as a national team player but all good things usually come to an end.”