My job doesn’t matter as long as team does well – Nigeria coach

Nigeria coach Stephen Keshi. Picture: Sydney Mahlangu/BackpagePix

Nigeria coach Stephen Keshi knew he was walking on a tightrope before the team’s quarterfinal triumph over Ivory Coast on Sunday.

Reports from Nigeria suggested he was going to be sacked had he not qualified for the semifinals.

But Keshi said he was not bothered about what Nigerians think of him as long as his team is doing well.

Nigerians have a tendency of firing their coaches on their return from major tournaments if they did not do well.

“If people don’t appreciate what I am doing so be it. I cannot force somebody to love me or accept me. It doesn’t matter what Keshi is doing as long as my team is responding well to what I am passing to them,” said Keshi.

He said after captaining the Super Eagles for 14 years his heart was still with Nigeria.

“If God grants me this cup we’ll see what happens. Like Mourinho he wins the cup and goes but I am a professional and my heart is here.

“I don’t know what will happen after the tournament, maybe I go or maybe I stay if the people still want me.”

He said he was happy with the progress the team has made since he took over. But he said there was still a long way to go.

“Rebuilding the team can’t happen in one or two months but (it takes) almost three years to build a good team that will last for five years. I like what I am seeing but we have to be patient and unfortunately people don’t have it.”

There are no guarantees Keshi will be retained as the coach if his team fails to beat Mali today.