Keshi confirmed as Mali national soccer coach
Mali - Nigerian Stephen Keshi has been confirmed as the new national coach of Mali, taking over from Frenchman, Jean-Francois Jodar, following his acceptance and subsequent signing of a two-year deal.
Keshi will reportedly asking for approximately US$28,000 a month for the two-year contract.
All issues revolving round his salary and allowance has now been resolved and the former Nigerian international and Super Eagle’s skipper is to begin work immediately to prepare the Malian National football team for their upcoming 2010 World cup qualifier against Congo in June.
Keshi’s former assignment was as the National Soccer team coach of Togo, the team he successfully led to qualification for the 2006 World cup. Internal crisis with Togo’s International and Arsenal star, Emmanuel Adebayor, did however led to his sack prior to the football mundial event in Germany.
The high rising coach was in the top running position to take over as the Nigerian National team coach for the super eagles following the disgraceful exit of German-born coach, Berti Vogts, for Nigeria’s dismal performance at the just concluded Africa’s Nations Cup soccer tournament held in Ghana. Interestingly, he is now taking over from another coach (Jean-Francois Jodar) sacked as a result of the Africa’s Nation Cup.
With this new assignment, Keshi is now effectively out of contention, with the Nigeria Football Association (NFA) yet to make a decision.
“I’ve signed with Mali, and I’m starting work this evening,” Keshi told BBC Sport on Tuesday from Bamako.
“It’s a shame, I would have loved to have coached the Nigeria team, but the NFA was undecided, so I went for Mali.
“Should it come any time when I’m free, of course I’d love to coach Nigeria.”
Keshi’s first official game in charge of the Eagles will be in June when they play Congo in the 2010 World Cup qualifiers, after which they will play Sudan and Chad in other group ten qualifiers.
“My goal with Mali is to take it game by game and see the outcome,” Keshi said.
This is yet another shameful demonstration of the fact that men are not really recognized and honored by their own people. It is hoped that the men at the helms of affairs of the Nigerian Football Association (NFA) will learn a lesson or two and make necessary amends.
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