AFCON
Keshi hints at Nigeria exit
2013-02-08 12:21
Johannesburg - Nigeria coach Stephen Keshi hinted that he may leave Nigeria after
the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations final against Burkina Faso on Sunday.
According to the football411.com website, Keshi had a run in with certain Nigeria Football Federation (NFF)
officials after his side were held to a 1-1 draw by their cup final
opponents in their first group stage match.
The Super Eagles then failed to beat the 2012 AFCON champions
Zambia and bounced back with a 2-0 victory against Ethiopia in the final
group game that ensured progress to the next round.
In the quarter-final they battled hard to beat fellow tournament
favourites Ivory Coast 2-1, and then put on a super display against Mali
whom they thrashed 4-1.
Nigeria are overwhelming favourites to lift the Africa Cup against the Burkinabe who are in their first final ever.
"We are all professionals. If God grants me (the AFCON title with
Nigeria today), the very next day, I might pack my things and leave for
another country," Keshi said at a press conference.
"It is the same thing with (Jose) Mourinho and all the other top
coaches in the world. I could stay on and I could leave. It depends on
the situation.
"I am a professional and we will see how it goes. This is where
my heart is, I captained the Super Eagles for 14 years. I have been here
as assistant coach. I am here for now but after the tournament, we will
see if there is any (offer) out there.
Keshi, who led Nigeria to AFCON success in 1994 as the captain
further added: "It doesn't really matter what people think about what
Stephen Keshi is doing. The most important thing is what I am doing here
and passing on to my team. If back home in my country, they don't
appreciate what I am doing with the team, so be it."