Chipolopolo of Zambia coach,Herve Renard has denied claims by Super Eagles boss,Stephen Keshi that the Nigeria Football Federation contacted him to take over the Eagles job.
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Renard,who has 18 months remaining on his Zambian contract,says he has no idea of what the former Super Eagles captain was talking about.
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The Frenchman said on Tuesday night that he never had any discussion with any NFF official or anyone from Nigeria during the AFCON competition that was eventually won by the Super Eagles and, therefore, wondered the connection.
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"I am not coming in on this topic because I don't know anything about this story. Keshi is a very good local coach. Congratulations to him and Nigeria," Renard said.
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Keshi is believed to have told former Super Eagles goalkeeper and SuperSport pundit, Idah Peterside, that NFF had summoned him to a meeting a day after Nigeria defeated Ethiopia 2-0 in the two teams' final Group C matches in Rustenburg.
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Peterside, a former Nigeria Media Officer, tweeted part of his discussion with Keshi, who temporarily resigned as Nigeria coach on Monday but rescinded his decision after an emergency meeting with Sports minister Bolaji Abdullahi.
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"Ambassador (referring to Peterside), the main reason I must resign is these people don't respect African coaches.
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"After the game against Ethiopia they held a meeting, in that meeting the NFF people were there and the Minister of Sports. They decided to sack me and bring the Zambian coach after the game," he said.
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"Against Ivory Coast, they never believed we could win. The man to replace me did not even qualify for the next round and they are now hailing," added Keshi, who played with former Zambia midfield maestro Charles Musonda at Belgian giants RSC Anderlecht.
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He said it was surprising that NFF questioned his coaching credentials but spoke highly of Renard despite Zambia's elimination in the preliminary round.
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Meanwhile Renard has said Nigeria deserved to be crowned Orange 2013 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) champions because they played well throughout the tournament, better than losing finalists Burkina Faso. Renard said in an interview that Nigeria played attacking soccer in contrast to Burkina Faso, a team he described as relying more on counterattacks.
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He said the Paul Put-coached Burkina Faso, who lost 1-0 to Nigeria courtesy of a Sunday Mba's 40th minute strike in the final played at National Stadium in Johannesburg on Sunday, lacked skill and inspiration. "Nigeria won because they deserved it," said Renard.
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When reminded shortly before kickoff that Burkina Faso outplayed one of the pre-tournament favourites Ghana in the semi-finals, therefore, deserved the title, the Frenchman said the Stallions were only helped by an uneven Mbombela Stadium pitch."Sorry! Are you joking or what? They played five games of beach soccer. You will see on a good field. All the players stay behind and wait for counterattacks," he said.
nobody should dare eye that post. it is keshi's job for the time being