Stephen Keshi: "I trust these boys won't let the nation down"

The manager of the Nigerian national side claims they should earn qualification for the World Cup.

Stephen Keshi who triumphantly led the side to the African Cup of nations title says the team should eye new challenges. The manager earned the first victory at the continental competition in two decades underlines that his has already set the next goal, targeting qualification for the 2014 World Cup.

“When you’ve conquered the African continent, then we have to prove it was not just a fluke by qualifying for the World Cup regularly,” stated the 51-year-old tactician.

“Our supporters will totally forget about this celebration when the World Cup qualifiers start in March, so we must not over-celebrate,” added the manager.

Nigeria currently tops Group F where their opponents are Malawi, Namibia and Kenya. The Super Eagles collected four points from their two opening games, yet the head coach insisted that the main goal is to get a ticket to the final round of the 2014 World Cup.

“The most important thing, we must qualify to play in Brazil next year. We need the support of everybody to make that happen. I trust these boys won’t let the nation down.”

Nigeria appeared at the World Cup for the first time in the US in 1994 and since that missed only one global showpiece in 2006.