by Mark Bassey

Super Eagles coach Stephen Keshi, has said that he is already making preparations for the 2015 African Cup of Nations qualifying series, even though he has not officially signed his new contract.

The Big Boss is still in negotiations with the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), but is widely expected to put pen to paper on an extension this week. But Keshi has already been speaking his members of his squad and is happy with their form and fitness.

“All the players are ready for the qualifiers,” he told Sporting Life. “I am very much in touch with the players. I have called virtually all of them, and they have all expressed their readiness to honour the invitation immediately the time comes.

“The good thing is that the leagues would start before the match, and also virtually all of them are on pre-season tour with their clubs, which makes it easy for us relating to the issue of fitness.”

Keshi also laid out his future plans for the Nigerian national team, after two years of consistency and success.

“Our building processes continue,” he added. “In this new phase, we are now going to consolidate on whatever gains we had the last time. The areas we had lapses, we are going to fortify them, and be able to give Nigerians a very strong team that they can always be proud of.”

He also denied he was close to signing on as South Africa coach, insisting that he was only going to take up the offer if the NFF did not offer him a new deal.

“I would only have considered other options if my employers NFF never needed my services. But as long as serving Nigeria is there, any other option can wait. No matter the amount of money. I have sacrificed for the country as a player, so, why would I go back now,” he said.

ifreke

Ifreke Inyang is a public commentator and social media critic who has worked with a number of high profile publications across the country.