Keshi to NFF: I will never beg for a job

SUPER Eagles Coach, Stephen Keshi has insisted that he would never re-negotiate his terms of contract with the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) despite his superlative performance with the Nigerian side at the just concluded Africa Cup of Nations held in South Africa.

Keshi who spoke with The Nation Sports believed that if he wins more trophies for the country, the onus falls on the NFF to re-invite him as the head coach, if they need his services.

“My current contract is still on. But if I win two or more trophies for them, I won’t need to re-negotiate my terms of contract with them. If they deem it necessary, they can call me back. , I won’t ask them to.”

Keshi was also of the opinion that home-based players and those who are eager to give their best to the team would always make his team list while he insisted that scoring goals for clubs outside the country does not guaranty any player for an automatic jersey.

Keshi said: “I was not scared of taking 17 debutants including six home-based players to the Nations Cup. I was only seventeen when l played for the national team. It is about who is keen, as a player, your intelligence keeps you going. When I was Togo’s national team coach, most of the players did not play for clubs in Europe, while for many it was their first international game. I wanted to give opportunity to players who were ready to play. I was given that same opportunity years ago. I need players who score regularly and play quality football. You keep hearing that the ’94 team is the best.”

Meanwhile, Cadbury Plc, makers of Tom-Tom and other candies showered the team with a sum of N10m while it gave Victor Moses $10,000 as the Most Valuable Player. Moses was voted as the MVP by Nigerian journalists who watched the AFCON tournament live in South Africa. A total sum of $12,500 was given to the team for all their shots on target.