Keshi resignation stirs Bafana pot

Stephen Keshi, on the shortlist of candidates to replace Gordon Igesund as Bafana Bafana coach, has stepped down as boss of Nigeria.

Keshi resigned after the Super Eagles were knocked out of the World Cup in Brazil by being beaten 2-0 by France in a last-16 game on Monday. The Nigerian Football Federation has remained tight-lipped, but the door is wide open for Safa to swoop.

Keshi is now a free agent and was quoted as saying, "It's time for me to go back to my family and face fresh challenges."

South African Football Association CEO Dennis Mumble was unavailable to comment yesterday.

Appointed coach of Nigeria in 2011, Keshi led the Super Eagles to the Africa Cup of Nations title in South Africa last year, before helping them secure a place at the World Cup in Brazil, where they faced Iran, Bosnia-Herzegovina and Argentina in Group F.

Reports emerged during World Cup group matches that Keshi had agreed a two-year contract with Safa.

But Safa dismissed the stories, saying an announcement would be made in mid-July.

Nigeria finished runners-up in their group to set up the clash with France, who dashed their quarterfinal hopes.

After the match the coach told his players that his time with the Super Eagles was up.

Keshi tops the list of "possibles" for the Bafana job.

The others are: Carlos Queiroz, who led Iran at the World Cup, Dick Advocaat and Frank Rijkaard.