Monday, February 1, 2010

Shehata reveals Nigeria approach




Egypt coach Hassan Shehata claims he has been approached by Nigeria to lead them at the World Cup in June.
Shehata revealed he had been offered the post on a temporary basis, after leading Egypt to their third successive Africa Cup of Nations title on Sunday.
Nigeria were criticised for their performances on the way to finishing third in Angola under Shaibu Amodu.
"They expressed interest in hiring me to take charge during the World Cup," Shehata told TV station Modern Sport.
The 60-year-old also revealed the approach to at least one other Egyptian TV station and it was widely reported in the country's media on Monday.
Shehata added that the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) had approached both he and the Egyptian FA, but emphasised that the ultimate decision lay with his employers.
"It will be a great honour for me to work [at] the World Cup," he said.
"But the Egyptian FA will have the final word on whether I could work with Nigeria on a temporary basis."
Egypt themselves narrowly missed out on a place at the World Cup after losing out to rivals Algeria in a play-off in Sudan in November.
Shehata is under contract with Egypt until 2012 and is well regarded across the continent.
Amodu himself refused to be drawn on whether he will still be in charge of the Super Eagles at the World Cup in South Africa, following his team's exit from the Nations Cup.
NFF president Sani Lulu Abdullahi confirmed last week that the Nigerians will be carrying out a full review of the team and its organisation - including the coach - in the coming weeks.


Story from BBC SPORT

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