Angola target Eagles coach

Angola are aiming to engage the services of Nigeria coach Stephen Keshi  after the summer’s World Cup in Brazil, our correspondent has learned.

Keshi, who helped Nigeria win the  Africa Cup of Nations in South Africa last year,  has reportedly attracted interest from across the continent,  with South Africa said to have identified him as under-fire  Bafana Bafana coach Gordon Igesund’s possible replacement.

The Angola Football Federation  fired Uruguayan Gustavo Ferrin after he failed to land the Palancas Negras in Brazil and  last week named   Romeu Filemon as head  coach of the  team.

But despite giving Filemon a two-year contract to guide the Southern African country  to the 2015  Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, the Angola FA  is said to be monitoring Keshi’s love-hate relationship with the Nigeria Football Federation, with the hope of tempting the  52-year-old  away from  the Eagles after Brazil 2014.

“There are  many  African countries interested in  Keshi,” one of the Tunisia ’94 Africa Cup winner‘s confidants told our correspondent during the week.

“I know about South Africa’s  interest  but Angola  has shown more interest.

“His contract with the  NFF will expire next year but I don’t think he will see out his contract because   he has not been treated with the respect and dignity  he  deserves for his achievements.

“But if things improve, he will likely stay.”

Keshi strolled into the spotlight after he helped  minnows  Togo qualify for the 2006 World Cup in Germany.

However, the former Nigeria captain was sent packing before the tournament after the Hawks failed to reach the knockout stages of the Egypt 2006 Africa Cup of Nations.

After working with the Malian national team for two years, Keshi was sacked and  was jobless until  the NFF engaged his services in 2011.

 The former Anderlecht star proved  his credentials when he guided the Eagles to their third African title in Johannesburg last year.