Stephen Keshi has been reflecting on the in intrigues of coaching Nigeria and the uncertainty over his future when he spoke to supersport.com in Brazil.

The Brasilia Palace Hotel camp of the Super Eagles is like a fortress or a military base to get in. A proper hideout fit for the purpose of full concentration for any team determined to play their part in the World Cup. After a few phone calls this reporter was finally able to meet with Stephen Keshi, an interview agreed upon before the match against France.

The exertions of the past few weeks were clearly written on his features as we sat down to talk. Around us the players were departing back to their various bases. The unlucky Ogenyi Onazi left with Osaze Odemwigie, his left ankle in a protective brace. He was still able to wave and acknowledge the reporter as did Shola Ameobi. Victor Moses was his usual self, ignoring most as he left with the some hangers-on to catch his taxi to the airport.

“I am done. I have finished my assignment with the team. I have had enough of all the politics and games and intrigues of handling the national team” the man called the Big Boss said clearly.

“My contract is up, no one asked me questions nor offered me a new one which is a clear indication that I am not wanted so there is really no drama. If they want me to put it down on paper I will get my lawyer to write to them.”

Trying a new tact and hoping to get him to talk about his experiences and then perhaps come back to his future on the job, I pressed on. Is there anything you could have done differently in the run up the World Cup?

“I really wish I could have had the players longer but due to the European season, it was not possible. The option available would have been to get them in batches which would not have panned out well. So we had to wait for the season to end all over Europe.”

Eventually the team did gather in London briefly and played a friendly match with Scotland that ended 2-2.

“We had only about two weeks and three friendly matches which in all sincerity are not nearly enough to get the players into the state we wanted to have them by the start of the World Cup. So as a result, they started to pick up during the tournament.”

When in January of 2013 Keshi chose a team for the AFCON he was criticised for the number of untried players he took to the tournament.

“I took a risk then when I picked those players but I had a long term view of getting new players for the national team and wanted to choose those who will be conducive to what we were trying to do at the time.”

So, giving the criticisms that followed his squad for the World Cup, did he also take a risk?

“Apart from Bright Dike and Leon Balogun who were both injured I took the players I wanted to take to the World Cup. I had a 30 man squad that was then cut down to 23 that met the settings we were using to select. I stand by the team I brought here to Brazil”.

Speaking these in a most relaxed but very firm voice he continued.

“People write that I chose some of these players in order to sell them. I laugh. They say that is why I took players that nobody knew. Let me tell you now that the likes of Michael Babatunde, Ramon Azeez have not even started. These lads are going places and they have big hearts to match their undoubted talents. Look at Ken (Omeruo) he is a fantastic footballer and Godfrey Oboabona, (Gabriel) Reuben, when he gets over his injuries we all will see what talent he has”.

His eyes almost mist over as he calls the names of these players. My chance. So, who is going to make sure these set of players reach their potential if you leave now?

“Whoever the new coach is, he now has ground players to work with. I have told them (the players) I am gone but there are enough ready players to form two squads for the national team so there are ‘materials’ for the new person to use.”

What if the President of the country intervenes again?

“As much as I respect the President and the number 1 citizen of the country it will be very difficult this time but we’ll see. For two and half years I have lived in a hotel, I never got an official car, there were not good enough training facilities for the senior national team to train with. Myself and my assistants especially Daniel Amokachi, we spend our money to buy training cones or whatever we might need.”

He was not done.

“When I worked in Mali, I got my car and house within a week of signing my contract and that is one of the poorest countries in Africa. Here my salary has never been regular and I have had to pay my assistant Valey Houndionu out of my own pocket. The Federation said if I wanted to keep him I will pay him myself. I have done so for two years now. Everywhere else I worked with him he was paid by the Federations. Yet, these are the people who will shout that they have given Keshi everything he needs to work and win matches.”

Stephen Keshi was rated amongst the poorest paid coaches at the World Cup but expectations were no less.

“When we drew with Iran we got told all sorts of things but the same people turned around to apologise after Argentina. That is the climate we work under.”

To be be continued…