by Mark Bassey

The Super Eagles might begin their Africa Cup of Nations qualifying series under a caretaker manager, as the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) are still locked in talks with Stephen Keshi over a new deal.

Nigeria play Rwanda next month, but Keshi, who led the Eagles to winning the AFCON trophy last year, is keen to have the finer details of his new contract sorted out, before he officially continues with the team.

“I want to say that we are on track with our negotiations and Keshi is also enthusiastic to coach the Super Eagles again and that is why we sent him our notice of intent last week and by Monday this week he responded positively,” NFF board member Deji Tinubu was quoted by Vanguard.

“Very soon we will send him the proposal that will contain his salary. As we speak, all that you have been reading about salary are mere rumours. What we want everybody to realize is that you don’t have to force negotiations, we have to be careful so as to eliminate the defects of the earlier contract.

“For now we have not selected coaches that will hold the team in an interim capacity but very soon we will be coming out with an arrangement just in case we were not able to conclude with Keshi before September 6 because that match is very important to us as a federation and we must play it regardless of who is in charge.”

The NFF are hoping they can resolve the contract situation before its general elections, scheduled to take place on August 26.

Nigeria have been drawn in Group along with Rwanda, South Africa and Sudan.

ifreke

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