Keshi hints at exit after Eagles’ loss

Stephen Keshi has cast doubt over his future as Super Eagles’ coach, saying he doesn’t know if he will be in charge after the World Cup.

He was speaking after Nigeria’s 2-0 loss to France on Monday, which meant the country has never gone beyond the second round at the World Cup.

Asked he will stay on as coach, he replied: “I don’t know.”

There have been speculations linking him to the South Africa job, although this was denied by that country’s football association.

There have also been reports of tension between him and the country’s football administrators over issues relating to money and team welfare.

Keshi expressed his disappointment after the defeat but said his players would form a “wonderful” team within the next two years.

“It’s a pity that we lost,” Keshi said at the end of the game. “We can compete with any team in this tournament and it depends on the players’ heart and desire. The way we lost is not good.

“The players are very young and there is room for improvement. In the next two years, this team can be wonderful.”

Nigeria could have been awarded a penalty in the first half when Patrice Evra was warned for holding Peter Odemwingie while defending a corner.

Blaise Matuidi escaped with a yellow card for a challenge that saw Ogenyi Onazi stretchered off.

Keshi said on referee Mark Geiger: “The referee is a human being and is bound to make some mistakes, but a lot of mistakes were questionable. I’m not happy about it, but he is the alpha and omega and decides what goes on the pitch.

“Any loss is painful, be it first round or a friendly game. When you see your team playing good football and doing what you asked them to do, and all of a sudden it turns around and you lose the game … I don’t think we deserved to lose this way, but it’s part of football.

“We don’t want to start putting blame on one or two people. The blame is on the entire team. We play as a team. We win as a team. We lose as a team. So I don’t want to be personal about anything here.

“We had a very good game, but were unlucky to lose. The scoreline does not tell the whole story. We have to move on.”