Stephen Keshi Signs Deal With South African Bafana Bafana

The Super Eagles coach Stephen Keshi has reportedly agreed on 2-year-old deal with South African Soccer Federation (SAFA), according to which he will take over the managerial job of Bafana Bafana national team.

Niger-Iran. Photo: Rungroj Yongrit, DPA

The Eagles Online provides that the contract is to take into effect right after the 2014 FIFA World Cup currently being held in Brazil.

It has been learnt that Keshi will travel to Johannesburg after the Mundial to sign all the necessary documents.

A source revealed:
"I can confirm to you that the deal between Keshi and SAFA has been signed and sealed. He is going to South Africa immediately after the World Cup. The South Africans are impressed with what he has done with the Eagles and want him to turn around the fortunes of Bafana Bafana."

Moreover, the source claimed that top European coaches have already applied for the position of the Super Eagles manager, having sent their CVs to the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF).

The Federation is said to make decision on the next coach immediately after the World Cup end.
It would be recalled that earlier this year, after the sack of South Africa national team manager Gordon Igesund, the Eagles Big Boss, who led his team to the victory at 2013 AFCON, was considered as the likely replacement. These talks started long before Igesund's leave, with South Africans claiming that Keshi "can do a good job".

The 52-year-old (still) Super Eagles head also made a hint at a recent press conference saying that Nigeria would not be the last country for him to coach and adding that he would like to proceed as Nigeria coach "if the terms are right".

The Super Eagles have already played 2 group matches in the course of the Mundial, against Iran (0-0) and Bosnia-Herzegovina (winning with the score 1-0). The hardest game for Nigeria is expected on June 25 against Argentina, with Barcelona FC star Lionel Messi in the squad.