Coach Stephen Keshi is focusing his energies on securing the 2014 World Cup ticket for the country.
He stated this after a three- hour, closed- door meeting in the office of the sport minister in Abuja on Tuesday. He said he has long put the triumph in South Africa behind him and is ready to work hand- in- hand with his employers, the Nigeria Football Federation, to achieve the aim of securing the Brazil 2014 World Cup ticket.
In attendance were the minister Bolaji Abdullahi, NFF president Aminu Maigari, chairman of NFF Technical Committee Chris Green, NFF director of competitions Mohammed Sanusi, Keshi and NFF assistant director (media) Ademola Olajire.
“I am happy to be back fully ready and focused on the big challenge of qualifying the Super Eagles for the 2014 FIFA World Cup finals,” Keshi said.
In the meeting, the sport minister charged the NFF leadership to forget the events of the past months and work very hard with the coach so as to succeed in achieving the set goal of reaching Brazil, next year summer.
“The triumph in South Africa was truly a delight and made Nigerians happy. But that feat will pale into insignificance if we fail to qualify for the 2014 FIFA World Cup finals,” he said.
“The principle behind this meeting is that the country is bigger than all of us. We must forget the little things that might have transpired which we did not like. We must forget personal injuries and be prepared to forge ahead.”
NFF President Aminu Maigari, in his remark, commended the minister for his efforts and commitment, saying, “South Africa 2013 was three month ago. In football, you are as good as your last result.
“We are all focused on the important task of qualifying Nigeria for the 2014 FIFA World Cup finals, and also to ensure that we do well at the FIFA Confederation Cup because we are representing the whole of the African continent.”
