Nigeria coach Stephen Keshi expressed his disappointment after the 2-0 defeat to France but tipped his players to form a “wonderful” team within the next two years.
The Super Eagles produced an impressive display in Brasilia before their opponents seized control as the game drew to a close, with Paul Pogba’s 79th-minute header and a Joseph Yobo own goal in injury time seeing Didier Deschamps’ side through to the quarterfinals.
“It’s a pity that we lost,” Keshi told reporters on the field at the end of the game. “We can compete with any team in this tournament and it depends on the players’ heart and desire. The way we lost is not good.
“The players are very young and there is room for improvement. In the next two years, this team can be wonderful.”
However, it remains to be seen whether Keshi will be in charge to see them make that improvement.
Asked whether or not he will stay on as coach, he replied: “I don’t know.”
