How I was shortlisted for Cote d’Ivoire coaching job – Keshi

The Super Eagles boss, Stephen Okechukwu Keshi, has denied media reports linking him with the coaching job of the African Champions, the Elephants of Cote d’ Ivoire.

Rather the gaffer said he is delighted with managing the Super Eagles who defeated the Ivorian national side on the way to the 2013 African Cup of Nations triumph in South Africa.

Keshi did not admit in the statement that he applied for the job but said he was simply shortlisted by the authorities in Cote D’Ivoire.

Speaking through his Manager, Emmanuel Addo, Keshi cautioned enemies of Nigerian football to always look for positives instead of the other way round as the country tries to redefine the way forward for the national team.

With a recently signed two years contract, Keshi said he will never detract from set goals between him and the leadership of the Nigeria Football Federation.

On the flip side, the longest serving national team captain declared that he was happy to be shortlisted for the Elephants job by football authorities in that country and it goes to show the quality of the Nigerian bench.

Addo, finally on behalf of Keshi urged all well-meaning Nigerian football followers not to allow enemies of the game to continue to cause distraction between the federation and its esteemed staff, noting that there are profiteers from the unholy acts.

His words: “My client is very happy with his job as the Head Coach of the Super Eagles of Nigeria. He has a two-year contract with the Nigeria Football Federation. And as a professional, he will see out his contract.

“My client feels highly honoured to be shortlisted by Cote D’Ivoire – a great footballing country. Like you all know he (Keshi) has a very good relationship with Cote D’Ivoire since his playing days. It is a relationship that he cherishes and would continue to cherish all the days of his life.

“We want to use this opportunity to call on all stakeholders and indeed all Nigerians to deny enemies of peace the chance they are looking for to cause distractions. We don’t need these distractions.”