Stephen Keshi says he needs time to mull over the possibility of returning to coach Nigeria.
The ex-Nigeria international says he will take his time to make the “difficult” decision of whether to return as coach of the Nigeria national team.
Keshi was dismissed from the Super Eaglels coaching role earlier this month after guiding the African champions to just four points in four Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) qualifying matches and was replaced by a consortium of coaches headed by Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) technical director Shuaibu Amodu.
Following a meeting with the country’s football stakeholders in Abuja this week, President Goodluck Jonathan ordered that the 52-year-old be recalled and given a new contract- a position shared by Amodu who himself has requested the coach be allowed to finish the 2015 Afcon qualifying series.
“It is a very, very difficult decision. I am not sure I would say ‘no’ for now or ‘yes’ to the order,” Keshi told reporters after meeting with sports minister Tammy Danagogo on Thursday.
Keshi Led Nigeria to the Second Round of this Year’s Fifa World Cup. Image: Getty.
“I still have to think about it because we all want peace. I want a settled mind before making the decision. I don’t have issues with anybody because life is too short. This is my country. I am always willing to offer my service.”
Keshi also reiterated his resolve not to let money determine his decision.
He added: “If I separately wanted a contract, I would have opted for the offer made by Equatorial Guinea because the offer they made was bigger than what Nigeria offered. But this is my country and I want to serve it.”
The former Togo and Mali coach led the Eagles to a third Afcon title last year in South Africa and also qualified Nigeria for last summer’s World Cup in Brazil, where they lost out in the second round to France.
Nigeria are third in their pool in the race to Morocco 2015 and need defeat Congo in Point-Noir by two-goal margin to improve their chances. They must also win their final qualifier at home to South Africa. Both remaining matches are slated for November.
Source: Reuters.
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